JoAnn (Jodi) Kirkpatrick, 91, of New Holland, Ohio went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 5:57 p.m. surrounded by her family.
Jodi was born August 12, 1933, in Washington Court House, Ohio to Mary Jo Bireley Cockerill and Marion Jacob Cockerill. She was raised on a farm in Fayette County where she graduated from Washington High School in 1951, and then attended Wilmington College.
On June 6, 1954, she married the love of her life, Kenneth (Kenny) Kirkpatrick and moved to New Holland, Ohio. They became actively involved within the harness racing industry where they not only raised and trained their own horses, but also raced them. They were actively engaged in farming in New Holland, Ohio as well. Jodi had worked at the Court House, as well as a legal secretary to Otis Core, a local attorney and enjoyed working as a Postmaster Relief at the New Holland Post Office for many years. She was also a presiding judge for the election board in West Holland for more than 40 years.
Jodi enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, whether it was playing cards, going out to eat, shopping, watching the Buckeyes, or sitting at the table laughing about memories and fun times. Jodi did not know a stranger and that is because she had a heart of gold, was kind, and saw the best in everyone. She was a faithful member of New Holland United Methodist Church and had also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years. She was an active longtime member of the Fayette County Garden Club and thoroughly enjoyed going to their meetings and events.
Jodi had two sons that she loved dearly, Kenneth McKinley (Kenny Mac) and Bradley Joe Kirkpatrick and raised her granddaughter that she adored, Kara (Kirkpatrick) Polichetti. She was then blessed with a loving grandson-in-law, John Polichetti, as well as two great-grandchildren that she loved unconditionally, Johnny and Kinlee Polichetti. She shared many memories with her family that she treasured and loved to share. Her laugh was contagious, her love was palpable, and her disposition was desired. She made an impact on so many lives and her legacy will live on.
She is preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Wendell (Kenny Kirk) Kirkpatrick on September 9, 2017. She was also preceded by her parents and two brothers, Donald E. (Donnie) Cockerill in 2022 and Gary W. Cockerill in 2018.
She is survived by her two sons, Kenneth McKinley (Kenny Mac) Kirkpatrick of New Holland and Bradley Joe Kirkpatrick of Clarksburg; a granddaughter, Kara Kirkpatrick Polichetti and her husband John; two great grandchildren, Johnny and Kilee Polichetti, all of Grove City, two sisters, Marjorie Hudson and Shirley Cupp Johnson and sisters-in-laws, Myrna Cockerill and Marybelle Cockerill, all of Washington Court House, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. These were all people she loved dearly.
The funeral will be Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in New Holland, Ohio with Rev. Linda Crew, pastor at the New Holland Methodist Church, officiating. The burial will follow in the New Holland Cemetery.
Calling hours will be held at the funeral home in New Holland, Ohio from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday September 11, 2024.
Memorial contributions may be made to the New Holland Methodist Church in lieu of flowers, c/o Nikki Sheets, 154 East Front Street, New Holland, Ohio 43145.
www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com
