Emery 'Kirb' Kirby Jr., age 85 of Mendota passed away at 10:30am on Friday, January 10th, 2025 at Goldwater Care in Princeton, where he had been a resident for the past few years. He was born on August 8th, 1939 in Champaign, IL to Emery Kirby, Sr. and Beatrice Jane Strater.In 1962, Emery married his high school sweetheart, Catherine McCollum, with the two recently celebrating 62 years of marriage. A long-time resident of Mendota since moving here in 1961 from Monticello, IL where Emery taught for 2 years before arriving to Mendota Public #289 to teach seventh grade science at Northbrook Elementary School for some 38 years. In addition to this, during the summer months he advocated for supplemental education through teaching migrant students at Holy Cross School. A man of faith, Emery was a long-standing member of the Mendota Bible Church.Emery is survived by his wife, Catherine; their four sons (and their wives): Brent & Laurie Kirby of Hudson, IL; Matthew & Kelly Kir

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