Lee N. Kirchgessner, 54, R.1, Battleground, died  Sunday, in Americana Healthcare Center in Lafayette, where he had been a patient for two weeks. He had been in declining health for the past year.

He was born Dec. 23, 1934, to Aloysious and Louise Becker Kirchgessner, in Lafayette. He was married, Feb. 23, 1957, in Delphi to Loretta Moore, who died March 5, 1989.

He was a truck driver for the White Co. Highway Department for 29 years. He retired in June 1988. He also had farmed all his life in White County.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Delphi.

Surviving are one son, John L Kirchgessner, and one daughter Amy J. Kirchgessner, both at home; stepmother, Nellie Kirchgessner, Battle Ground; two brothers, Joseph and Charles both of Winamac; two sisters, Helen Ziegler, Lafayette and Dolores Kelly, Chalmers; two stepsisters, Frances Ziegler, Goodland and Carol Cloud, Bryan, Texas.

He was preceded in death by two infant children.

Funeral was Wednesday in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Delphi, with the Rev Donald Hardebeck and the Rev Ambrose Ziegler officiating. Hartzler Funeral Home in Brookston, was in charge of the service.

Burial was in St. Joseph. Cemetery in Delphi.