Willis A. Kurtz

Willis ‘Bill’ Kurtz Willis ‘Bill' Kurtz, 78, of New Buffalo, passed away on Friday, June 19, 2009, at St. Anthony Memorial Health Center in Michigan City, IN. Arrangements have been entrusted with Sommerfeld-Smith Family Funeral Home of New Buffalo, MI. Bill was born on May 26, 1931 in Goshen, IN to Alvin and Edith (Huber) Kurtz. He came to the New Buffalo area in 1962 and has lived here since. He served his country in the U.S. Navy, having served in Korea and on the USS Boa. Bill was a life member of the American Legion Post #169 of New Buffalo. He was very active in both New Buffalo and New Buffalo Township politics, having served on the NB Planning Commission and the NB Zoning Board, as well as the New Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Dept.-both as Chief and Commander. Bill was also a member of the Masons Orak Temple in Michigan City, the Shriners-where he played drums in the Oriental Band, and was also a former member of the New Buffalo Lions Club and the Moose Lodge #980 of Michigan City, IN. He had worked at Sears, Michigan City, in store management for 30 years. After retiring from Sears, he worked as a consultant with Adams & Westland of Chicago. Bill is survived by his wife Lesley (McFadyen), whom he married on June 1, 1993 in Las Vegas, NV; three sons, Norman (Fiancee-Vickie White) Kurtz of Knoxville, TN, Brian (Mary) Kurtz of Eau Claire, MI, and Ron (Terri) Kurtz of Crystal River, FL; step-children, Michael (Lisa) Rhoads of Middletown, MD, Brenda (Phil) Pries of Medaryville, IN, Peggy Davis of Sarasota, FL, Kathie (Dale) Krueger of New Buffalo, and Lisa (Shawn) Long of South Port, FL; 14 Grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; three brothers, Robert (Betty) Kurtz of Mathis, TX, Calvin (Mary) Kurtz of Elkhart, IN, and Warren (Patricia) Kurtz of St. Joseph, MI; and a sister, Mary (Bruce) Propst of North Umberland, PA. He is preceded in death by his parents-Alvin and Edith; and former wife-Opal (Hardaway) Kurtz. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 11:00am, at the Sommerfeld-Smith Family Funeral Home, New Buffalo, MI. Bill's final resting place will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, New Buffalo. The American Legion will honor Bill by conducting Graveside Services. Visitation is on Monday, June 22, from 5:00-8:00pm, at the funeral home, with Masonic Services at 7:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children of Chicago. Friends wishing to leave a message of condolence or to sign the family guest book, may do so at www.sommerfeld-smith.com