John "Jack" Worrell Kirk, 88, passed away unexpectedly on July 24, 2026. He was born on March 15, 1938, in the Media, Pennsylvania, area west of Philadelphia, Jack was raised among a close-knit family and maintained strong ties to his Pennsylvania roots throughout his life. He attended Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1955 before continuing his education at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. There, he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1959 and met the love of his life, Janet.

Jack and Janet were married on September 4, 1960, at Plainfield Friends Meeting in Plainfield, Indiana. That same year, Jack was recorded as a minister in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). He later attended Christian Theological Seminary at Butler University, earning his Master of Divinity degree in 1965.

Jack devoted his life to ministry and faithfully served Friends meetings and Quaker organizations for more than four decades. His first pastorate was at Fairfield Friends Meeting in Camby, Indiana, followed by New Garden Friends Meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina. Throughout his career, he also served as Director of Quaker Hill Conference Center in Richmond, Indiana; pastor of University Friends Meeting in Wichita, Kansas; Field Secretary and Editor of Quaker Life Magazine; pastor of Bakersfield Friends Meeting and Archdale Friends Meeting; and concluded his ministry at First Friends Meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he retired in 2003.

Richmond held a special place in Jack's heart. Over the years, he and Janet called the city home four different times—as Earlham students, during his leadership at Quaker Hill Conference Center, while serving with Quaker Life Magazine, and most recently as residents of Friends Fellowship Community, where they returned two years ago. They treasured reconnecting with long-time friends and being closer to Janet's family.

Outside of his ministry, Jack was an avid Indiana University basketball fan and enjoyed making trips to Bloomington to cheer on the Hoosiers. Despite living away from Pennsylvania for most of his life, he remained a loyal Philadelphia Phillies fan.

Jack will be lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of nearly 66 years, Janet Kirk; his daughter, Jennie Stegall (Matt); his son, Chad Kirk; his grandchildren, Kyle Kirk Diehl (Mike), Tanner Kirk, Hannah Stegall, Abby Stegall, and Seth Stegall; and his great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Jed, and Mary Jo Diehl. He is also survived by Janet's brother and sister, many cousins in the Plainfield area, and numerous cousins and a niece in the Philadelphia area.

A celebration of Jack's life will be held on Saturday, August 8, at 1:00 P.M. in the Community Room at Friends Fellowship Community, 2030 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, Indiana. Stegall-Berheide-Orr Funeral Service is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be shared with Jack's family via the guestbook at stegallberheideorr.com

Jack will be remembered for his steadfast faith, lifelong commitment to ministry, love of family, and the kindness and wisdom he shared with all who knew him.