George Eugene Kurtz, 91, of Olney, died peacefully on Thursday, November 14, 2019, at Fair Havens Christian Village in Decatur, Illinois.The family will receive friends from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Friday, November 22, 2019 at Olney Free Methodist Church. A Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Steve Wingert officiating. Burial will be in Haven Hill Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Kurtz was born in Richland County on August 11, 1928, the son of Leslie V. and Jane (Ritter) Kurtz. He married Ada Ann (Johnson) Kurtz on May 8, 1957, in Iuka, Mississippi. She preceded him in death on January 1, 2010.

Following graduation from high school in Olney, Mr. Kurtz worked in the oil fields before serving with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Following his military service, he worked as an iron worker with membership in Local 103 of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, and Ornamental Iron Workers for 33 years. He was a long-time member of Olney Free Methodist Church. Mr. Kurtz was a quiet, gentle man with a dry wit. He loved Olney and the surrounding countryside and especially enjoyed spending time in the woods, whether chopping down trees or simply watching them grow.

He is survived by his children, daughter Georgann Kurtz-Shaw and her husband, Brad, of Meridian, Idaho, and son Steven Kurtz of Decatur, one granddaughter, Mathea Kurtz-Shaw, of Seattle, Washington, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, Susan, and his two brothers, Vernon and James Kurtz.

Memorial gifts can be directed to the Olney Free Methodist Church.

Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney, obituary & photo – Friday, November 15, 2019