Born In Butler Pennsylvania on March 13,1951, he was the son of the late Kenneth G. Kirkwood and Jennie M. Tirk Kirkwood.

John was a 1969 graduate of Butler High School. He then graduated from Bob Jones University in South Carolina in 1973 with a Bachelors of Arts Degree. He then became an ordained Baptist minister.

John opened the first Subway restaurants in Butler and then spent the last fifteen years employed at Armco, now AK Steel.

John is survived by one son, Joel Martin Kirkwood of Butler, Pennsylvania; his ex-wife, Kathryn Kirkwood of Butler, Pennsylvania; one sister, Margaret (Peggy) Morando and her husband, Donald, of Butler, Pennsylvania; one brother, Kenneth E. Kirkwood and his wife, Joyce, of East Butler, Pennsylvania; by numerous nieces and nephews, and his companion Sharon Ehrman of Butler, Pennsylvania.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his one son, Jared Michael Kirkwood.

Friends and family of John Kirkwood will be received at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street, Butler, Pennsylvania 16001 on Monday, May 10, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will follow at 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 10, 2010 with Reverend Roger Nuerge of Concordia Lutheran Home officiating.