Our Family Serving Your Family
Princeville, Dunlap, Brimfield, Edelstein, Laura, Monica
Also Serving The Wyoming & Toulon Areas

Obituary of Jack Edward Kuntz

PRINCEVILLE - Jack Edward Kuntz, 69, of rural Princeville, passed away at 12:05 a.m. Thursday, February 15, 2007, at Manor Health Care in Peoria, Illinois. 

Jack was born in the bedroom of his Princeville, Illinois, farm home on January 10, 1938.  He was the third son and fourth child of Edward Raymond and Ida Elizabeth Gudeman Kuntz.  On December 23, 1961, Jack married Martha Marilyn Jones in the Princeville United Methodist Church.

She survives, along with one daughter, Nanette Lorraine (and Edward Alan) Mulvey of Pekin and one son, Eric Edward Kuntz of Princeville; five grandchildren, Neil Edward Mulvey, Nathaniel Eric Mulvey, Rachel Lorraine Kuntz, Jaclyn Grace Lorraine Mulvey, and Brett Edward Kuntz; two step-grandchildren, Tyler MacKenzie Frank and Hannah Noelle Frank; two brothers, Donald Ray (and Ila May Fritz) Kuntz of Streator, James Elwin (and Sara Lou Diefenthaler) Kuntz of Princeville; one sister, Mary Lou Richoz Dobat of Troy, Michigan; one sister-in-law, Carolyn Christine (and James W.) Catton of Brimfield, IL; one brother-in-law, E. Edward Jones of Peoria, IL; and 12 nephews and nieces.  He was preceded in death by his parents; one niece and one nephew.

Jack was a member of the 1955 graduating class of Princeville High School where he was part of the basketball team. He attended the University of Illinois for two years, completing the agricultural winter short courses.  During his high school years, he held offices in the local Future Farmers of America chapter and was selected for the State Award.

Stationed in Missouri, Georgia, Texas and Korea as a member of the United States Army, he served for two years, 1959-1961.  Assigned to Korea after the conflict, he served as Company Clerk for communications near Seoul Korea and the DMZ zone.  He was a member of the 8th Cavalry Division.  Returning to the United States, he completed four years of active and inactive reserve duty.

Jack’s avocation and his vocation were the same.  He owned and managed farm acres planted to corn and soybeans surrounding his birth place in Akron and Princeville Townships for 45 years.  Jack also raised Purina boars and farrow to finish market hogs.  In the 1970’s, he received first place in Peoria County and third place in the State of Illinois Soybean Yield Contest by growing 65.91 bushels per acre.

Jack was selected to represent Peoria County Farm Bureau for the Farmers to Washington program in 1973.  He was a marketing committeeman and met with U.S. Representative, Robert H. Michel in Washington D.C.  Other farm activities included serving as director of the Peoria County Farm Bureau, treasurer of the Peoria County Extension Council, and director of the Bloomington Production Credit Association.  He also was an Ag 4-H Club Leader.

Jack was a fifty-eight year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Princeville, where he served as Elder, Deacon, Treasurer, and Sunday School Teacher.

His life centered around faith, family, farming, and friends.  A quiet and humble man, Jack was known to be honest, hardworking, generous, and trustworthy.  His memory will live through his works of love and dedication.

His passing was precipitated by complications of Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) during the past several years of his life.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 19, 2007, at his church.  Pastor Harry Losey will officiate.  Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, February 18, 2007, also at the First Presbyterian Church as well as thirty minutes before services.  Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.

Memorial contributions for Jack may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Princeville or Methodist Medical Center Hospice Services.

Condolences may be sent to the family via by clicking here.