James H. Girkins
Of Buffalo Grove

James H. Girkins was born on April 9, 1936 in Toledo, Ohio to Harold and Evelyn (nee Gilbert) Girkins. He died peacefully at his home in Buffalo Grove on October 29, 2009.

Mr. Girkins was employed as a Pharmaceutical Clinical Research Representative at Bristol-Myers Squibb since 1964 until his retirement in 1992. He served in the United States Army during the Berlin Crisis and was involved in the medical area. He enjoyed woodworking, rose growing, photography and was a member of the Northwest Suburban Council of Genealogists, Northern Chicagoland Rose Society and the Chicago Archaeology Society.

His survivors include his wife of 48 years, Helga (nee Wieder) Girkins, his son Steven (Sharon) Girkins of Denver, Colorado, his granddaughter Emily Girkins and his sister –in-law Christa (Detlef) Gloge of Colts Neck, New Jersey.

James is preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial Visitation is Tuesday, November 3, 2009, from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM at the Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, (4 blocks south of Palatine Road) Arlington Heights. Memorial Service will follow at 7:30 PM on the same day. Interment Private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to: Heartland Hospice, 4415 West Harrison, Hillside, IL 60162.