Deacon Steven W. Kirts

Intermountain Catholic

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Deacon Steven W. Kirts

Deacon Steven W. Kirts died Oct. 27, 2011, surrounded by his family.

Deacon Kirts was born Dec. 1, 1945 to Fred G. and Doris Wilkinson Kirts, and died peacefully Oct. 27, 2011 surrounded by his family. He endured numerous medical problems his entire life. In spite of them, and with a "feisty" attitude and determination, he achieved much.

He graduated from Highland High School in 1964 and married Annette Jarrell in 1967. Together they have six children. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City in 1981. He served in Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Thomas More parishes. In addition to his parish duties he was a police chaplain for West Valley City since 1981 and the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office since 1988.

Deacon Kirts was preceded in death by his parents, his infant twin brother Merrill and his sister Peggy Ann. He is survived by his wife, Annette, their children and spouses: Jennifer and Ron Hansen, Elizabeth and Brian Smith, William and Kimberly Kirts, Emily and Ramon Fernandez, Meg and Joe Spear, and Patricia and Chris Glover, 11 grandchildren and his cousin Michael Wilkinson and family.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 4 at Saint Thomas More Parish. Committal was at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Saint Thomas More Capital Campaign at 3015 E. Creek Rd., Sandy, UT 84093 or to the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, Attn: Brigitte Dawson, PO Box 277, West Jordan, UT 84084-0277.