Jerome Kutz

Jerome Michael Kutz, 89 years old, passed away Thursday, October 22, 2020 at Willard Care Center, in Willard, MO.

Jerome was born September 30, 1931 in Wentworth, MO to Tony and Rose Kutz. He moved to Springfield, Illinois around the age of 10. Following the death of his father Tony in 1946 he moved to Springfield, MO where he attended Central High School, later attending St. Agnes Catholic High School graduating in 1949. From 1950-1956 Jerome served in the Army Reserves.

Prior to joining the reserves, he began dating Mary Ann Baron and they married September 1, 1951, busying their lives together until her death in 2005. In 2006 he married Shirley Creed and were married until 2015.

While in high school he became interested in woodworking which led to jobs working for Southern Supply Co. as a carpenter and building houses with his late brother-in-law Fredrick Eck, husband to his sister Florence, which included building a house for his own family and assisting his two brothers, Fredrick Kutz and LaVerne Kutz in building their homes.

Being a carpenter was just one of many jobs that Jerome held throughout his life to provide for his wife, Mary Ann, and nine children. He was a Fuller Brush salesman, changed tires for B.F. Goodrich, worked as a Whirlpool appliance repairman for his brother Fred, and in 1953 began working at the Springfield News-Leader in the stereotype department and later in 1974 moving to the pressroom making sure the papers were printed on time and with the quality expected by the company. He retired from the News-Leader in 1992.

Throughout Jerome’s adult life he was involved in his church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and the community of Springfield. He was a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus, a cub scout leader when his two oldest sons were in scouts and helped organize the Kidney Foundation’s “ Ride for Life” on horseback and in wagons to raise money for public education about kidney dialysis.

He also immersed himself in several different hobbies throughout his life; in-line radio- controlled airplanes, riding and showing quarter horses, riding Goldwing motorcycles, radio-controlled airplanes and member of the Springfield RC club, and following his retirement he travelled the countryside with friends, family, and the Ozark Chapter #17 SKP’s Escapees.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Tony and Rose Kutz; his wife of 54 years, Mary Ann Baron; sister, Florence Eck and brother-in-law Fredrick, brother LaVerne Kutz and Patsy and Margaret Kutz ; Sister-in-law Paula Howard and husband Charles; sister-in-law Christine Baron, and sister-in-law Sandra Baron.

He is survived by his children and their spouses; Robert and Kippie Kutz, Raymond Kutz and Jennifer Heggie, Carol and David Wright, Kathleen and Brad Meyen, Brian Kutz, Dianne and Pete Eisinger, Annette and Joe Melies, Gerald and Lorrie Kutz, and Roger and Kerra Kutz, grandchildren and spouses; Kimberley and Calvin Gabel, Sara Kutz, Forrest and Rachel Meyen, Daniel and Jessica Wright, Kristen Melies and Jade Stobbe, Aaron Bodus, Kelsi Kutz, Derek Melies, Evan Kutz, and Benjamin Kutz, great-grandchildren; Xavier, Felicity, Kaysen, Asher, Aniyah, Isaac, and Noah; his brother Fredrick Kutz and wife Dolores, brother-in-laws; David Baron (Barbara),Xavier Baron, Richard Baron (Shelly Leavitt),and Martin Baron.

Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2020 at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2200 W Republic Road, Springfield, MO. A visitation will precede the Funeral Mass from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Graveside services will follow at the Marshfield City Cemetery, 627 S. White Oak Road, Marshfield, MO, with full military honors.

If desired, memorial contributions can be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1609 N. Summit Ave. or the National Kidney Foundation of Kansas and Western Missouri, 705 W. Battlefield, Springfield, MO.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut, Springfield, Missouri 65806.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.