John E. Dirks

John E. Dirks, 80, of Grand Island died Monday, May 30, 2016, at his home.



Memorial services will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday at the Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Chaplain Jay Towell will officiate.



John Edward Dirks was born January 3, 1936, at Nebraska City, NE to Herman J. and Helen M. (Peters) Dirks.



John grew up and received his education in Lincoln, NE graduating from Teachers College High School.



He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960, stationed outside of Sacramento, CA.



John married Ruth J. Rosenberry in September 1961, at Lincoln, NE. In August of 2004, he married Elizabeth M. Harvey.



Johns career was primarily in law enforcement and corrections. He worked 14 years with the Nebraska State Patrol. The highlight of his career with the Patrol was working as a criminal investigator. He was considered one of the best polygraph examiners in the State of Nebraska. He later worked in corrections for the Hastings, NE facility.



After retiring from corrections, he continued to work at various jobs until he started a poker league. He ran the league successfully for four years, until poor health forced his retirement. John made many new friends through the poker league, and found an open mindedness to people of many walks of life.



John was a self taught oil painter. He felt his interest in painting opened his eyes to lifes simple beauties. He also enjoyed hunting birds, camping, traveling and humor. He loved to make people laugh. His vivid imagination was evident in his many endeavors and in his conversations.



He is survived by his wife, Beth Dirks of Grand Island; two sons, Alexander Dirks of Sterling, NE, Travis Dirks of Blue Hill, NE; one daughter, Cindy Mills of Hastings, NE; one step-son, Kyle Janitscheck of Grand Island; and nine grandchildren.



John was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, Warren Shurtleff, Wayne Shurtleff, Harold Shurtleff, Bradley Dirks, Chester Dirks, and Tommy Dirks; and two sisters, Valda Mae Crider and Romona Pillard.



In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Salvation Army or the donors choice.