Obituary of Kenneth J. Dirkes Sr.

Kenneth J. Dirkes, 83, of Oxford, NJ passed away peacefully on July 21, 2023 at St. Luke's Warren Hospital. Ken was born on December 17, 1939 in Garden City, NY to the late Chester W. and Virginia (née Middlebrook) Dirkes. He graduated from Audubon High School class of 1957 and went on to earn his Accounting degree from Drexel University. Ken and Kathleen (née Dougherty) married in 1958. Ken was employed as a CPA with KPMG Public Accounting for more than 30 years and became a partner. He retired in 2000. Ken was a parishioner at the First Presbyterian Church of Washington. He was a NY Giants football fan, he enjoyed gardening, his dog companions and westerns. Ken was all about his family. He loved spending time with them, and his grandchildren were his world. Ken is survived by his wife of 65 years, Kathleen Dirkes; daughters Bonnie Gardner and her husband David, Deborah Clifford and her partner Manny Sevdalis, and Kathleen Statz and her husband Stephen; sons Kenneth J. Dirkes Jr. and his wife Michelle, and Daniel Dirkes and his partner Tracey Hart; brothers Clifford Dirkes (Ken's Twin brother) and Gerald Dirkes, and sisters Ginger Kitchmire and Fern Montesano; 14 grandchildren and many a growing number of great grandchildren. Family and friends may pay their respects on Tuesday July 25, 2023, from 5-8pm at the Warren Hills Memorial Home, 234 W. Washington Ave., Washington, NJ 07882. A funeral service celebrating Ken's life will take place on Wednesday July 26, 2023 at 11:00am at the First Presbyterian Church of Washington. 40 E. Church St., Washington, NJ. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Oxford. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home. To send an online condolence please visit www.warrenhillsmemorialhome.com In lieu of flowers please donate to The First Presbyterian Church of Washington.