Larry Joseph Birk

Larry “Stonie” Joseph Birk, 77, of Americus, Kansas, passed away Friday, April 17, 2026, at his home.

Stonie was born August 27, 1948, in Burlington, Kansas, the son of Harold Joseph and Irene Mildred (Isch) Birk. He married Catherine Krueger on June 6, 1971, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Emporia.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Birk, of the home; his daughter, Lacie Christine Birk Hamlin, of Americus; sons, Christopher Vaughn Birk (Nicole) and Cameron Joseph Birk (Charlotte), both of Olathe.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Claire (Dane) Olson, Olivia (Payton) DeLong, Danielle Birk, Faith Hamlin, Beckam Birk, Colin Birk, and Amelia Birk; and four great-grandchildren, Collyns Olson, Porter DeLong, Jordy Olson, and one expected in October. Additional survivors include his brother, Richard (Katherine) Birk of Emporia; and his sisters, Mary Schellhamer (proceeded in death by Ralph Schellhamer) and Darlene Witherspoon (Don Witherspoon).

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Duane (Janice Birk Gibson) and Marvin Birk (Bobbi Birk Mlynar); and his sister, Ruth Magathan (Charlie Magathan).

Stonie worked as a printing press engineer for 35 years at Didde Graphics before continuing his career with the Emporia State University Maintenance Department for 15 years. He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, served in the United States Army, and was active in his community as a member of the Jaycees. He coached little league baseball and served on the Americus City Council over the years.

Stonie had a deep love for the outdoors and a work ethic that never quit. He often shared stories of his childhood feeding cattle alongside his dad at Anderson Cattle Company, and as a young adult, he enjoyed helping the Lefflers put up hay and cut silage. He was proud to have served in the United States Army and never missed an opportunity to share those memories with anyone willing to listen. Stonie was rarely at idle—he took pride in seeing every project or chore through to completion. Even his downtime was spent working, cutting and splitting firewood in the winter, and fishing in the warmer months. Whether setting lines with his boys or taking the kids to a pond to cast a line, time spent on the water was time well spent. He passed that love down to his children through camping trips, teaching them to water ski, and always welcoming their friends along. You could count on a well-kept yard and productive garden under his care. He was an avid fan of the Royals, Jayhawks, and Kansas City Chiefs, often heard cheering them on from his radio or television. In later years, he and Cathy purchased her parents’ place (AKA Stonie National Park) where Stonie could often be found driving his Gator to and from the farm—mowing, tending to the pumpkin patch, feeding the fish, spreading gravel, watching his grandchildren fish or swim in the ponds, or winding down with a cold one at the picnic table.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Messiah Lutheran Church, with the visitation an hour before the service. Burial with military honors will follow at Americus Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church or the Americus Recreation Organization with donations sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801. Online condolences may be made at robertsblue.com