Lorene Kirk, 81, of Aurora, MO, died on Saturday, August 24, 2013, at Mercy Hospital – Aurora following a lengthy illness. Lorene was born to Blanche Marie and Joseph Newton Long on February 23, 1932. She was one of eleven children.

She was a member of the Faith and Hope Baptist Church of Aurora. She loved spending time with her family and church community. She also loved fried fish, wrestling matches, yard sales, and gospel music. She was loved and will be greatly missed by those that knew her.

In 1951 she married William F. Kirk who preceded her in death. She is survived by her three sons, William Ray Kirk, Chester N. Kirk and his wife, Viola, and Richard D. Kirk; she is also survived by her three grandchildren, Shelley Gearhart, Amy Koma, and Matt Kirk; seven great-grandchildren, Megan, Nathan, Emily, Isaac, Jacob, Ava, and Kaleigh. Lorene has two surviving sisters, Pauline Thompson and Barbara Yocum; and one brother, Jay Long.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 28, 2013, in Greenlawn Funeral Home North, 3506 N. National Ave., Springfield, MO. Burial will follow in Eastlawn Cemetery, 2244 E. Pythian St., Springfield, MO.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 27, in the funeral home.