RUSSELL – John David Kurtz, 62, passed into glory surrounded by his loved ones on Friday, May 2, 2014. He had fought a battle with renal cancer. He was co-owner of Hometown Structures in Westfield, MA for the past ten years. Born in Ephrata, PA on July 30, 1951, he was the son of the late John B. Kurtz and leaves his mother, Lena (Reiff) Kurtz of Ephrata, PA. He relocated to Russell in 2002 from Pennsylvania. He was very active in foreign missions and distributing Gospel literature.
Besides his mother, he leaves his wife of 41 years, Margaret A. (Zimmerman) Kurtz of Russell; four sons, John Adam Kurtz and his wife Joanne of Rawlins, WY, Andrew David Kurtz and his wife Roxanne of Chester, Joshua Paul Kurtz and his wife Louisa of Shaftsbury, VT and Joseph Aaron and his wife Doreen of Chester, MA; three daughters, Priscilla Jane Reinford and her husband Jerald of Russell, Ruth Naomi Kurtz of Russell, and Elizabeth Ann Burkholder and her husband Ewan of Hong Kong; two brothers, Melvin Kurtz and his wife Irene, Harold Kurtz and his wife Grace; three sisters, Anna Mary Weaver and her husband Clair, Irene Weaver and her husband Lester, and Erma Martin and her husband Nevin. He was predeceased by a daughter, Mary Margaret who welcomes him in glory.
Services will be held on Wednesday, May 7th at 10:00 a.m. at the Full Gospel Church, 110 Union Street, Westfield, MA followed by burial in Pioneer Valley Mennonite Fellowship Cemetery, RT. 20, Russell, MA. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, May 6th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Full Gospel Church in Westfield, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Five Loaves Ministry, P.O. Box 157, Russell, MA 01071. O’Brien Hilltown Community Funeral Home in Huntington is in charge of the arrangements.
