Joseph Kuntz

Joseph H. Kuntz, 91, of Mt. Pleasant and formerly of Burlington and New London, Iowa, died Monday, April 16, 2012, at the Select Specialty Hospital in Davenport. A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel from 5-7 p.m. A Christian vigil service will follow at 7 p.m. after which the family will receive friends. Visitation will continue on Friday from 10-11 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church followed by the Memorial Mass which will be offered by Father Ken Kuntz and Father Joseph Phung.. His body has been donated for medical science research to Des Moines University. Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Burlington, IA at a later date. Memorials have been established for St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant V.F.W. Post # 2561, and American Legion Post #58. On-line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com. Born February 28, 1921, in Burlington, Iowa, Joe was the son of John R. and Barbara (Armbruster) Kuntz. He spent his formative years in rural Burlington and graduated from Burlington High School in 1939. On January 20, 1958, he married Leona Trueper in Chariton, Iowa. She preceded him in death on October 7, 2000 in Mt. Pleasant. Upon graduation Joe worked for a short time at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps for 3-1/2 years during World War II. He served as Staff Sergeant in Hawaii, Midway Island and then the South Pacific for most of his overseas duty. After completing his military enlistment, he worked as a steel worker for J. I. Case Company in Burlington for 37-1/2 years. In 1983 he retired from Case to a small farm east of New London. He and his wife, Leona, moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1997. Joe enjoyed the outdoors, seeing the crops grow, caring for the land and keeping his small farm in neat condition. He was interested in old cars and antique guns. He derived great joy in seeing good woodcarving and made several pieces of furniture. Old-time country music was a favorite. He was a member of St Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant and was the long time night watchman of the church tent during the Old Thresher's Reunions. Joe was a lifetime member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. He thoroughly enjoyed being a participant in the 2011 Honor Tour to Washington, DC. Survivors include five nieces, Joan (Richard) Shadley of Burlington, IA, Mary Rosenberg of Burlington, IA, Carol Kuntz of West Burlington, IA, Rosemarye Bauer of Sun City, CA, and Marejane (Raymond) Crane of Murrysville, PA; two nephews, James (Marjorie) Smith of West Point, IA and Rev. Kenneth Kuntz of Clinton, IA. Also surviving is a special friend Mary Wathen of Mt. Pleasant. Preceding Joe in death are his parents; his wife, Leona; three brothers, Benedict, Edward and John Kuntz; and two sisters, Frances Smith and Anna Wagner.