Kirk B. Dougal

Kirk B. Dougal, 57, of Van Wert, died at 5:55AM on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, after a short battle with cancer.

He was born on May 16, 1966, in Van Wert, to Lyle J. and Sandra K. (Fronefield) Dougal Anderson. On September 25, 1993, he married the former Anessia Foltz.

Kirk is survived by his wife, Anessia Foltz Dougal of Van Wert; daughters, Breann Dougal of Van Wert, Morgan Dougal (the late Jonathan D. Martins) of Toronto, Ontario, Kegan Dougal (Megan Ricketts) of Bowling Green, Ohio, and Lauren Dougal (Ross Teeter) of Van Wert; his mother and step-father, Sandra K. (Paul) Anderson of Van Wert; a sister, Jayme Dougal of Upper Arlington, Ohio; and step-brothers, Scott (Jill) Anderson, Mark (Jana) Anderson and Jeff (Courtney) Anderson.

He was also preceded in death by his father, Lyle J. Dougal; grandparents, Homer Gene and Marjorie Fronefield; and son-in-law Jonathan D. Martins.

Kirk was passionate about two things: baseball and books. He loved watching the Cincinnati Reds games growing up, and he later was a grand slam hitter himself at both Lincolnview High School and Huntington University. Parallel to this, his love of reading grew into writing stories himself, both as a journalist and as a best-selling author of 17 books. He was a dedicated Vice President and Group Publisher of Hometown News Media Group in Vero Beach, Florida, and he was the former editor and publisher of the local Times Bulletin. Kirk was a true pillar of the local community, who truly wanted to leave the world a better place than he found it. He brought that drive to his family, as well. He consistently encouraged his four children to do their best, whether it was his son to get his black belt in taekwondo, his youngest daughter's dream of becoming a professional horse trainer, his second oldest daughter's move to Toronto to pursue her Master of Social Work, or his oldest daughter to live on her own. To his wife, he will be known for their shared love for good food, their similar sense of humor, and their love for their children. Kirk will always be known for being incredibly funny, outgoing, and always seeming to know somebody in every room.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM on Monday, March 25, 2024, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory with Pastor Stuart Wyatt, officiating.

Visitation will be 2:00-6:00PM on Sunday, March 24, 2024, and 12:00-2:00PM on Monday, March 25, 2024, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Van Wert County Humane Society, Van Wert Youth Baseball or Middle Point Ballpark Association.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, 722 S. Washington St, Van Wert, Ohio.