Emma Melissa Kirkpatrick

A funeral service celebrating the fabulous life of Emma Melissa Kirkpatrick, age 79, of Thornville, will be held at2:00 p.m.onTuesday, May 2, at the Thornville Chapel of Hoskinson Funeral Home with Father Michael Gribble officiating. Friends may call from11 a.m.-2 p.m.at the funeral home, 56 South Main Street in Thornville, and are encouraged to come clad in their Buckeye best. A party will follow at AMVETS Post #51.Emma was born August 21, 1937 in Newark, Ohio to the late Edgar and Ester (Chalfant) Miller. She passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Mount Carmel East Hospital, peacefully and surrounded by family.Emma retired from AT&T (Lucent Technologies) after 35 years of service. Following her retirement, she worked as one of Buckeye Lakes most beloved bartenders at the Copper Penny, where she would run the flag to the tune of the Buckeye Battle Cry after every touchdown. An avid and lifelong fan of the scarlet and grey, Emma held her ground in QFMs Buckeye Babe competition alongside babes forty years her junior and was serenaded by The Best Damn Band in the Land at her 70th birthday party. In addition to her Bucks, Emma also loved a properly-cooked steak, a good book, traveling with friends, saving the manatees and completing the Columbus Dispatch crossword puzzle over her morning coffee. She was a member of the Buckeye Lake Moose Lodge #2434 and a lifetime member of AMVETS Post #51 in Thornville, where she not only worked part-time but also volunteered extensively with the Ladies Auxiliary, dedicating herself to supporting our troops overseas as well as our veterans here in Ohio. Somewhat of a minor celebrity around these parts, Emma had countless friends and will be both sorely missed and fondly remembered.She is survived by two daughters, Jodi N. Miller (Kevin Watson) of Newark and Terri Ann Kirkpatrick of Millersport; grandchildren, Lee Daniel Kirkpatrick, Vanessa Miller and Sara (Justin) Metelko; great-grandchildren, Austin Kirkpatrick, Bruce Metelko and Walter Metelko; sister, Mona Rose Changet of Canton; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bubby and Harlequin.After being parted for nearly twenty years, Emma has finally joined her dear husband and best friend, Terry Kirkpatrick, who was undoubtedly there to welcome her to the big party in the sky. In addition to Terry and her parents, she was also preceded in death by three sisters, Nenoshia Miller, Geneva Yost and Valeria Holland; and three brothers, James, George and Russell Miller.Memorial contributions may be made in support of veterans hospitals to AMVETS Post #51, c/o Sandy Quick, 9293 Thorn Twp. Road 79, Thornville, OH 43076.Hoskinson Funeral & Cremation Service is honored to care for Emma and her family.