Kenneth Leonard Kurtz
Kenneth Leonard Kurtz, 90, of Du Bois, passed away at 5:17 P.M., Friday, January 15, 2016 at the SSM Health Good Samaritan in Mt. Vernon.
Kenneth was a laborer for 42 years at the IC Railroad. He served in the United States Army from September of 1943 to April of 1946 during W.W. II.
He was member of the St. Charles Catholic Church in Du Bois.
He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, traveling, and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
He was born April 27, 1925 in Du Bois, the son of Casper and Mada (Bauer) Kurtz.
He married Helen Heck Hoffman on November 18, 1950 in Du Bois, and she preceded him in death on April 18, 2013.
He is survived by four children – Joyce Bauza and husband Clarence of Posen, Don Hoffman and wife Janice of Ashley, Janet Harris and husband Steven of Tamaroa, and Deborah Kramm and friend Tamara Spencer of Whittington; grandchildren – Kim Gill and husband Larry of Nashville, Kelly Bauza and wife Valerie of Nashville, Jeffrey Harris and wife Angie of Tamaroa, Carmen Coughlin and husband Cass of Belleville, Clinton Bauza and wife Stef of Nashville, Chad Hoffman and wife Julie of Kirkwood, Mo., Tiffany Kujawa and husband Jonathon of Tamaroa, Craig Hoffman of Rock Hill, Mo., Christopher Bauza and wife Kasey of Ashley, Jennifer Kramm of Mt. Vernon, Traci Bledsoe and husband Matt of Mt. Vernon; twenty-two great-grandchildren with one more expected in June; two sisters – Velma Johannes and husband Herb of Ashley, Erma Kwiatkowski of Nashville, sister-in-law – Barbara Kurtz of Nashville, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one son – Ronald Kurtz, two grandchildren – Cassandra Hoffman and William J. Harris, five brothers – Homer Kurtz, Raymond Kurtz, Marion Kurtz, Eugene Kurtz, and Melvin Kurtz, and one sister – Leona Hester.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, January 19, at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Du Bois with Msgr. Dan Jurek officiating. Burial will be at the St. Charles Cemetery in Du Bois, IL. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Du Quoin VFW, American Legion and the Army National Guard.
Friends may make memorials to St. Charles Cemetery, St. Annís School, or Masses and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa is in charge of arrangements. For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.
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