KINGSMILL - Irvin Salken, a 25-year resident of Kingsmill, passed away on Friday, March 19, 2010, at the age of 91.

He was born in Philadelphia on Dec. 27, 1918, the second of five children of Ida and Louis Salken. He served in General Patton's Third Army in WWII for four years. Upon returning home, he married his beloved wife, Doris Linas of Richmond, Va. Although he was raised in Richmond, he had been a Tidewater resident since 1954. Irvin always had a keen eye for the unusual, an interest that led him to become a successful pawnbroker. He was the owner of Dixie Pawn Shop and then Denbigh Pawn Shop, from which he retired in the early 1990s.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Doris; daughter, Barbara Salken; sister, Claire Salken; brother, Morris Salken; and his parents.

He is survived by his daughter, Judy Salken of Williamsburg; grandson, Billy Rosen of New York; granddaughter, Jill DiGrazio and her husband, Jay, of New Jersey; grandson, Eric Kahn and his wife, Allison, of Ohio; sister, Ray Salken; and brother, Charlie Salken, both of Virginia; five great-grandchildren, Dylan and Devon DiGrazio, and Madison, Lillian, and Jacqueline Kahn; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and loving friends.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to three outstanding women, Tiffany, Loriann, and Pam, who cared for him and brought a big smile to his face everyday during his recent illness.

A funeral service will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Chapel of Richmond Beth-El Cemetery at Forest Lawn in Richmond, Va.

The family requests any expressions of sympathy be made to the James River Rescue Squad or Sentara Homecare and Hospice in Williamsburg, Va. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in the Daily Press from March 21 to March 22, 2010.

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