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John P. Kuckartz

Date of Death: April 30, 2011

John P. Kuckartz, 87
John Paul Kuckartz, 87, of West Lafayette, died at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2011, at his residence.
He was born May 21, 1923, in Lafayette, to the late John Jacob and Anna Grossman Kuckartz. He graduated from Montmorenci High School.
He was a corporal in the Marine Corps serving with the 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, Company &B&, from March 17, 1943, to Dec. 12, 1945.
On Jan. 22, 1948, he married Leota Smith, who died Feb. 14, 2009.
Mr. Kuckartz was a tool and die maker at Alcoa and was a member of the Alcoa 25-Year Club; was a founding member of the Wabash Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Montmorenci American Legion Post. He enjoyed woodworking and was known as the “Blue Bird Man” of Tippecanoe County. An avid Purdue fan, he liked to hunt and fish.
Surviving are two daughters, Rebecca Wappes (husband: Jim) of San Antonio and Patricia Kuckartz of Tallahassee, Fla.; and two sons, Kenneth Kuckartz (wife: Candice) and R. John Kuckartz (wife: Julie), both of West Lafayette
Also surviving are 10 grandchildren: Amanda Griffies, Lisa Wappes, Jacob and Joseph Kuckartz, Sarah Sherman, Benjamin Rankin, Jessica Rankin, Zane Seal, Karlie Kuckartz, Johnny Kuckartz; and 11 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by sisters, Cecilia Carpenter, Bernadine McCormick, Elizabeth Stephenson.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, with service there at 10 a.m. Thursday, with the Rev. John Randall officiating. Burial at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens. Those wishing may contribute to the Otterbein United Methodist Church of American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton MA 01061-0515
www.soller-baker.com

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John P. Kuckartz, 87 John Paul Kuckartz, 87, of West Lafayette, died at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2011, at his residence. He was born May 21, 1923, in Lafayette, to the late John Jacob and Anna Grossman Kuckartz. He graduated from Montmorenci High School. He was a corporal in the Marine Corps serving withContinue Reading

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Vern Kuckartz left a message on April 30, 2014:
Sorry about your lose
Indiana Bluebird Society left a message on May 4, 2011:


So sorry to hear of John&s ""The Bluebird Man"" passing.
We enjoyed our visits with him & Leota over the years.
After Leota passed we were able to meet Kenny when he
brought his dad to meetings. I wonder just how many
Bluebirds were raised in the houses that John built?
Probably too many to count !!
You have our deepest sympathy.
Indiana Bluebird Society, Ken & Susan Murray
Charles W. Martin left a message on May 4, 2011:
John and I became friends when we both started working at Alcoa after World War II. We were both Marines. Our benches were next to each other for our many, many years there.

I will miss calling him to get his predictions for Purdue&s football team as well as his calls to me to remind me when Purdue is on TV. We spoke just last year.

We spent many pleasant times over the years from Die Shop dinners to Retiree dinners as well as just time with our families.

John was a good friend and I will miss him.

Carol Brown left a message on May 4, 2011:
I am a coworker of Becky&s in San Antonio. I know he was beloved by many people and leaves a legacy of a strong family with values.
Ginger Vanderhider left a message on May 4, 2011:
Becky, and family,

My thoughts, and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Ginger
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
jodi white left a message on May 3, 2011:
john and julie,

i wanted you to know i was thinking of you.your dad is at peace & with Leota now.i hadn&t seen john for a while,i&m going to try to get the funeral home but i work till 7:00 wed.hope to see you then

jodi white
margaret e. daquila left a message on May 3, 2011:


SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE WHOLE FAMILY.
MAY GOD&S GRACE BE WITH YOU ALL IN THIS TIME OF NEED. I WILL KEEP HIM AND YOU ALL IN MY PRAYERS THAT GOD WILL STRENGHTEN EVERYONE.
Terry Serrano left a message on May 3, 2011:
May the Grace of God be with you and your family and strengthen your faith in him in order to assist you at this moment. My prayers to all of you and to God&s son that he may rest with God in our heavenly kingdom. My condolences are with you all.

Love,
Terry Serrano
Social Worker at Methodist Hospital
Kendra Hatfield left a message on May 3, 2011:
Jake,
Your Grandpa was so highly regarded and will be missed by so many. Now, I understand your long term love of Purdue.
You certainly are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kendra Hatfield
Denise Beckwith left a message on May 3, 2011:
Becky,
May you always be blessed with the wonderful memories of your father. Some people live a lifetime without having one parent or both but, you were given the gift of having them both. Your father stayed behind to make sure that his children were going to be okay after the loss of your Mother.... He finally found peace enough to let go and be next to your Mother... where he had been all these years. Your parents are now complete and together again.... Please know that I am here for you.

Love,
Denise Beckwith
Methodist Hospital - San Antonio
Case Manager
Bruce Parkhurst left a message on May 3, 2011:
I have fond memories of the Kuckartz family and am sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you are all in my thoughts.
Jim Eller left a message on May 3, 2011:
John: Becky. Pat, Kenny, Johnny:

Sorry I could not be there. I thought the world of your Dad, he was one of the best persons I have every met. As Zachary (our grandson) said, he is in a better place now, with your mom, and he can now see again.
We will all miss him!!!
Jim
Janis Madewell left a message on May 3, 2011:
Becky, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time and the days to come. My prayer for you will be for God to provide you peace beyond all understanding, only as He can do. You can rejoice in the fact that your Dad is now with your Mom walking hand and hand on those streets of gold. Janis
Marvin Mann left a message on May 3, 2011:
I knew John in my previous life over 20 years ago when I, too, worked in Tool and Die at Alcoa. I know Ken much better and miss the conversations that we used to have. John was a fine man and from Ken I learned he was also a fine father. It is difficult for us when any leave us behind but John was a man who did things the right way and left a family legacy that will live on.
My thoughts are with you at this time.

Marvin Mann
Linda (Bayes) Brower left a message on May 3, 2011:
Dearest Becky and all the Kuckartz family,
I&m so very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Though I didn&t know him well, I do remember his workshop in the garage where Becky and I used to make up some strange concoctions. And I remember a certain station wagon after we girls had taken it out for the evening and the comments he made to Becky the next day. He always seemed bigger than life to me--kind, knowing,understanding, and dependable. He will be greatly missed by all who ever had the pleasure of meeting him and more so by his loved ones. I pray that you each feel the Lord wrapping His loving arms around you to give you His peace and comfort.
Dianna Zimmerman left a message on May 2, 2011:

Becky,

My sympathy and love is with you and your family...............Dianna
Ann Page left a message on May 2, 2011:


Becky,

May your memmories bring you comfort............Love, Ann
Jennifer McClain left a message on May 2, 2011:
Becky: I just wanted to express my sincere condolences to you and your family. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. May your Dad rest in eternal peace in his ""forever"" home that God designed exclusively for him. Hugs to you-Jennifer McClain.
Cindy Dunn left a message on May 2, 2011:
Becky,
My heartfelt prayers are with you and your family during this season. Your father is now at peace with the Lord. Strength, understanding and God&s love abound. Be joyous for your father&s homecoming. God bless you and your family. Cindy Dunn
linda ledesma left a message on May 2, 2011:


Dear Becky family & friends,

My deepest sympathies and prayers for you. God bless you all, remembering that your love one, is resting in Our Lord&s house. Linda Ledesma
Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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