KURTZ, Paul George, age, 97, formerly of Fairfield, Ohio, went to his heavenly home  on October 11, 2018 at his latest residence in Sarasota, Florida.   He was born in Hamilton, Ohio on April 10, 1921 the third son of Ernest and Loretta (Ebbing) Kurtz. On March 21, 1944 in Breckenridge, Kentucky, he married Annis Marie Partenheimer, of Princeton, Indiana, who preceded him in death on January 2, 2015.

Paul was a member of the Sacred Heart Church in Fairfield, the American Legion, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the Fr. Butler Knights of Columbus Council 968.  He was a member of Airplane Owners and Pilots Association since 1986, and a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association.  He had a pilot's license until age 91, and built a 4 seater Lancair ES airplane.  He was awarded a Certificate of Service for 32 years of employment from General Electric, Aircraft Engine Division, in Evendale, Ohio.  He enjoyed bowling in his youth and was an avid fisherman throughout his life.

Paul served in the Army in World War II, in the European theater and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant with the unit called "the Thunderbolts".  He received the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Service Medal, the EAME Theater Service Medal with 5 Bronze Stars and the Victory Medal.  He was a prisoner of war in Germany for a short time in April of 1945.

Survivors include six children; Joan Elizabeth (Steve) Sowell, Richard Paul (Beatrice Nettles) Kurtz, Sharon Annis (Louis Stultz) Montgomery, Martha Sue (Darrell) Salyers, Joseph John (Ursula Wiedemann) Kurtz, and James Matthew (Ann Williams) Kurtz; Paul's youngest brother, Robert Ernest Kurtz and Robert's spouse, Donna Reiter Kurtz of Fairfield, Ohio, a sister-in-law Jean Partenheimer Wilhite of Bowling Green, Kentucky; a brother-in-law Verner Partenheimer and Verner's spouse Susan Partenheimer of Princeton, Indiana; 18 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Paul was also preceded in death by his older brothers, Clarence, Alvin, and a younger brother Ralph Kurtz.

Prayers will be offered at 10:00AM Saturday in the Zettler Funeral Home, 2646 Pleasant Ave. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at 10:30AM in Sacred Heart Church with Fr. Larry Tharp celebrant. Burial will be in St. Stephen Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:00AM Saturday in the funeral home.  Online register book is available at www.zettlerfuneralhome.com