Richard W. "Monk" Kull, 72, of 168 Thacher St., Hornell

  Born in Hornell on June 21, 1935, he was a son of the late Walter and Leah Fay Kull. On June 3, 1961, he was married at St. John the Evangelist Church in Rochester to the former Donna M. Hauser, who survives.

  A resident of Hornell for most of his life, Monk graduated from Hornell High School with the class of 1953. From 1953 until early 1958 he served with the U. S. Navy.

  He was employed as a fireman for the former Erie Railroad in Hornell before he began his apprenticeship with the late Charles Roselli of Roselli Plumbing in Hornell. About 1969 he established Hornell Plumbing and Heating which he owned and operated before he retired in 1997.

  Monk was an avid outdoorsman, a nature lover and a big game hunter. A member of the American Chestnut Foundation, he enjoyed planting various types of trees around his home and camps. He will also be remembered for being multi-talented and as a masterful carpenter and craftsman.

  His family includes his wife of 46 years, Donna; his six children, Elizabeth Anne (Francis) Cardamone of Hornell, Richard (Karen) Kull of Kenmore, Ronald (Christine) Kull of Pittsford, Allison (David) Rodgers of California, Johanna (James) Nells of Rochester and Mary E. Kull of Rochester; his 13 grandchildren, Domenic, Grace and Richard Cardamone, Kyle, Kimberly, Quinn and Cassandra Kull, Spencer, Cameron, Drew and Katie Kull and Owen and Sidney Rodgers; his four sisters, Norma Crooks of Florida, Barbara (Elijah) Flint of Hornell, Mary Dineen of Hornell and Nancy (Thomas) Glynn of Florida; his four brothers, Norman William Kull of Florida, Robert (Patricia) Kull of Florida, James (Barbara) Kull of Hornell and R. Chris (Carol) Kull of Almond; his uncle, Clarence Kull of Hornell; his mother-in-law, Alice M. Hauser of Rochester, his two sisters-in-law, Sue Anne Hauser of Rochester and Mary K. (David) Slayton of Rush; his brother-in-law, Gregory (Ann) Hauser of Greece; also his many nieces, nephews, cousins and many good friends.

  Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Renee Kull Towner.

  To honor his wishes there will be no calling hours. Friends are invited to meet his family at St. Ann's Church in Hornell where a funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday (1/10). Committal prayers and interment will follow at Rural Cemetery in Hornell.

  In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to either St. Ann's School Memorial Fund, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY 14843 or to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat) 5705 Grant Creek, Missoula, MT 59808.

  Arrangements are with the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. 285 Main St., Hornell. Online condolences or remembrances of Monk are welcomed at http://www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com/.