Michael VanKirk

1989 - 2017

Michael VanKirk suddenly passed away in his home on October 31st, 2016. Michael was born on December 17th, 1989, the son of Cynthia Ruth Milnikel and Stephen Lee VanKirk and younger brother Jess Stephen VanKirk. Michael had passion for the music and arts, playing various instruments from the piano to guitar, and most notably, his viola. Michael first started playing his viola in elementary school and all the way on up to high school. He made first chair in his orchestra and had the opportunity to the play for various concerts including, not one but two trips to California during his time at Ingleside Middle School. In 2008, Michael graduated from Arcadia High School and had attended Scottsdale Community College in which he completed some general education courses. Michael also enjoyed working at Harkins Theater where he worked for more than five years, moving on up to a team lead and then promoted to assistant manager. Michael also dedicated his time to community service, where he volunteered for Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Saint Vincent De Paul. After finishing college, Michael also enlisted in the National Guard in which he completed his basic training at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. Michael is proceeded in death by his grandparents Clark August Milnikel, Dorothy Jeanne Carr, Beverly Anne Randza, Gene Victor Randza, and his mother Cynthia Ruth Milnikel. He is survived by his father, Stephen L Vankirk, his brother, Jess S Vankirk, his uncle, Randall C Milnikel, his aunt, Jennifer E Harris, his five cousins Jennifer Fedor, John T Harris, Nicholas J Whelen, Patrick A Whelen, and Chloe A Whelen.