Obituary for Lee H. "Peachy" Kurtz
Lee H. “Peachy” Kurtz, 85 of Tyrone, died Friday, October 2nd, 2020. He was born in Spruce Creek on December 26th, 1934, the son of the late Ruth McMullen. On July 18th, 1986 he married Mary Ann Greenawalt, who survives him. He is also survived by five daughters: Denise (Greg Gallagher) Bagley, Natalie Kurtz, Dorothy (Bob Walter) Merritts, Leslie Merritts, and Amy (Roger) Hill; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; two nephews: Robin (Greg Behun) and Keith Carper; and several cousins. He was preceded by one brother, Randall Carper.
Peachy was a 1953 graduate of Tyrone Area High School. He retired from Dillon’s Trucking and previously worked as a truck driver for Black Brothers Garage where one of his routes involved picking up the Grit in Williamsport. He also attended Wesley United Methodist Church.
Peachy enjoyed tinkering around with his cars, gardening, and attending Drum and Bugle Corps competitions. Peachy was a member of the Gardener Guards from its inception and participated for over 30 years playing the cymbals. He was very proud to be a part of the Gardner Guards, especially when they performed at Shawnee on the Delaware on the Fred Waring Show in 1957, as well as marching for the 1961 Kennedy Inauguration in Washington, D. C. He loved large family holiday gatherings and family picnics. Ever the gentleman, Peachy always insisted on walking visitors to their vehicle. When that became difficult, he made every effort to at least walk visitors to the door.
An 11 a.m. funeral service for Lee H. “Peachy” Kurtz will be held on Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 at the Richard H Searer Funeral Home, Inc., with Pastor Tina Hawkins officiating. Friends will be received for visitation on Tuesday, October 6th, 2020 from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service. We ask that all in attendance, out of respect for others, please wear a mask while inside the funeral home. Contributions in Peachy’s name may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675 - 8516.
Peachy was a 1953 graduate of Tyrone Area High School. He retired from Dillon’s Trucking and previously worked as a truck driver for Black Brothers Garage where one of his routes involved picking up the Grit in Williamsport. He also attended Wesley United Methodist Church.
Peachy enjoyed tinkering around with his cars, gardening, and attending Drum and Bugle Corps competitions. Peachy was a member of the Gardener Guards from its inception and participated for over 30 years playing the cymbals. He was very proud to be a part of the Gardner Guards, especially when they performed at Shawnee on the Delaware on the Fred Waring Show in 1957, as well as marching for the 1961 Kennedy Inauguration in Washington, D. C. He loved large family holiday gatherings and family picnics. Ever the gentleman, Peachy always insisted on walking visitors to their vehicle. When that became difficult, he made every effort to at least walk visitors to the door.
An 11 a.m. funeral service for Lee H. “Peachy” Kurtz will be held on Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 at the Richard H Searer Funeral Home, Inc., with Pastor Tina Hawkins officiating. Friends will be received for visitation on Tuesday, October 6th, 2020 from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service. We ask that all in attendance, out of respect for others, please wear a mask while inside the funeral home. Contributions in Peachy’s name may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675 - 8516.