Richard 'Bill' Kalkan

Richard W. 'Bill' Kalkan, 89, formerly of Newark Valley, went home to be with his Lord on February 3, 2010 at his home in Harrisonburg, VA where he has resided for the past 31/2 years. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 65 years who was also his devoted caregiver, Helen (Twining) Kalkan, his children and their spouses; Jeffrey and Susan Kalkan, Charlotte and Pete Cox, Nancy Jeanne and Steven Burke, his daughter-in-law Susan Joy Kalkan, his 8 grandchildren; Pete Jr., Laura, Timothy, Justin, Christen, Jeremy, Rachel, and Jonathan. Also surviving are his 10 great grandchildren, his brother-in-law Martin Twining, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.Bill was born Sept. 14, 1920 in East Berkshire a son of William and Martha (Boss) Kalkan. He was pre-deceased by his son, Richard Kalkan, sister Helen Meisner, and sister-in-law, Mildred Newman. He was a graduate of Newark Valley High School, class of 1940. For many years, Bill and Helen owned and operated Kalkan's Variety Store in Newark Valley. In addition, Bill was a bus driver for the Newark Valley School system for more than 25 years. He was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Newark Valley, where he had served as Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and Youth Group Leader. While living in Harrisonburg, he was a member of Peoples Baptist Church in Penn Laird. His memberships included the Newark Valley Fire Dept., Senior Citizens, the former Ro-Ki Club, Gideons International with a special interest in Jail Ministry and the American Association of Kidney Patients. For the past 10 years, Bill has been a dialysis patient in Binghamton and Harrisonburg. His family is grateful for the outstanding care he received from the caregivers at these facilities. Bill's family will receive their friends at the MacPherson Funeral Home, Newark Valley on Saturday, Feb. 6th from 5-8 PM. A funeral service and celebration of his life will be held at the First Baptist Church, Newark Valley, on Sunday at 4 PM. Burial will be in Hope Cemetery at a later time. For those wishing, kindly consider directing memorials to the Fist Baptist Church, 40 Whig St., Newark Valley, NY 13811, or to The Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214 in memory of Richard William Kalkan. Memories and condolences may be shared at macphersonfuneralhome.com