Karl Jay Kurtz

Karl Jay Kurtz, age 73 of New Lenox passed away on Monday July 11, 2016. He is survived by his loving family; wife Marilyn Kurtz (nee Badovinac); son Tom (Michele) Vana; former daughter-in-law Meaghan (Mike) Cahill-Dziedzic; grandchildren Amy (Mitchell Cunningham) Vana, Matthew (Julia Zingaila) Vana and Liam Cahill-Kurtz; brother Fred "Bud" (Peggy) Kurtz; niece Kim (Dan) Ginder; nephew Kevin (Tina) Kurtz; great nieces and nephews Bryce and Brenna Ginder, Ethan, Brody and Kylee Kurtz; loving Caregivers and Best Buddy Godfred "Kofi" Yeboah his wife Jeanette and children Marilyn, Kurtz and Dean Yeboah. He was preceded in death by his son Joey Kurtz; grandson Jay Vana and his parents Fred and Dorothy (Crosson) Kurtz. Karl was founder and owner of Kurtz Memorial Chapels, Kurtz Ambulance Service and Goodale Memorial Chapel, proudly and compassionately serving the local area for 40 years. He was a graduate of Joliet Township High School, Worsham College of Mortuary Science, and Certified Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate. He was a member of Ridgewood Baptist Church, Illinois State Ambulance Association, Illinois Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Will/Grundy EMS and Matteson Masonic Lodge #175, past member of East Joliet Fire Department. He was a former Will County Deputy Coroner and former New Lenox Village Trustee and Patrolman for Knight Security, former member of New Lenox Chamber of Commerce and New Lenox Rotary Club. Karl was recipient of New Lenox Citizen of the Year in 2009, a local area volunteer and Philanthropist supporting many Civic and Charitable organizations, and a die-hard Cubs fan. While his achievements were many they were sadly cut short due to his advanced Parkinson Disease. " Well done good and faithful servant" Family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Rd. New Lenox IL 60451 on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 from 4:00PM until 8:00PM. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2016 in the funeral home chapel at 11:00AM. Interment will follow to Good Shepherd Cemetery, Orland Park. Please OMIT FLOWERS. Memorial contributions in Karl's name to Ridgewood Baptist Church 1968 Hillcrest Rd., Joliet, IL 60433 or Parkinson Research Foundation, 5969 Cattleridge Boulevard, Suite 100, Sarasota, FL 34232 would be appreiciated, For information wwww.kurtzmemorialchapel.com or 815-485-3200