Donald F. Kurtz

Donald F. Kurtz, 83, of New Paris, died early Saturday morning, August 9, 2008, at Goshen General Hospital. He was born in Nappanee on February 28, 1925, to Frederick and Alpha (Evans) Kurtz.  He married Jacqueline Harsh on September 27, 1946 in New Paris.  She survives. A lifelong resident of the area, Mr. Kurtz was a brick mason superintendent for Rock Builders in New Paris.  He was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, New Paris, where he taught Sunday School for many years and served on the Board of Trustees.  He was a founding member and president of Fairfield Building Trades for 40 years and a member of the New Paris Chamber of Commerce.  In 2001 Mr. Kurtz was named New Paris Citizen of the Year.  He was an avid woodworked in his retirement years. Mr. Kurtz served in the Army during World War II from January 1944 to March 1946 in the Philippines Pacific Theater.  In 1948 he joined the National Guard and served 37 years until 1985 retiring as a Major from the Army Reserves. He is survived by his wife; four children, D. Steven Kurtz of South Bend, Fred (Debbie) Kurtz of Goshen, Kimberly (Michael) Birskey of Bargersville, Indiana, and John (Deb) Kurtz of New Paris; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Kenneth (Eilein) Kurtz of New Paris and K.W. (Phyllis) Kurtz of Millersburg and a sister, Pauline Overlease of Florida. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, August 11 at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. A Tuesday, August 12, 2008, funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m., at Grace United Methodist Church, New Paris.  Rev. Rob Nelson will officiate. Burial will be in New Paris Cemetery, New Paris. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church.