Laban Eugene Kurtz

On January 14, 2016, the Lord unexpectedly called home his child, Laban Eugene Kurtz, to his heavenly reward. Laban, age 59, of 687 Sunol Road, Cochranton, PA, leaves behind a legacy of faith and passion for life.

               Laban was born in Hartville, Ohio on July 26, 1956, the oldest son of Crist Kurtz and Betty (Coblentz) Kurtz. On April 5, 1980, he married Bonnie Overholt, from Montgomery, Indiana. After getting his pilot’s license, he moved to northern Ontario from 1978 to 1982 and worked with the First Nations community through Northern Light Gospel Missions. In 1983, he received his Associate degree in Agriculture from Ohio State (ATI). He moved his small family to Sarasota, Florida in 1986 where he owned a lawn care business. In 2001, he, and his family of six, moved to Cochranton, Pennsylvania, where he started a hydroponic produce business which took him to many farmers markets across northwestern Pennsylvania.

               Laban’s passion for life was exhibited in his many hobbies and interests. He had a passion for acapella choral singing and was a talented bass. He toured Europe with The Rosedale Chorale and sang with Heart and Voice. He also enjoyed playing guitar. In the last several years, Laban had a renewed interest in the Canadian wilderness where he had previously served and took trips there the last two summers to camp and fish. However, the most passionate part of his life was his faith in Jesus Christ and his love for Truth.

               Laban is survived by his wife, Bonnie Kurtz. He leaves behind four children: Joel Kurtz of Donalds, South Carolina; Jared Kurtz and his wife Abigail (Miller) of Sarasota, Florida; Aaron Kurtz of Sarasota, Florida; and Abigail Peachey and her husband Jason of Meigs, Georgia. He leaves behind one grandson: Bo Kurtz. He also is survived by four siblings: Violet Dutcher of Harrisonburg, Virginia; Lois Mast and her husband John of Milford, Deleware; Paul Kurtz and his wife Grace of Mechanicsburg, Ohio; and Ken Kurtz and his wife Gina of Louisville, Kentucky. He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Rhoda Kurtz; and a brother-in-law, Jon Dutcher.

              The funeral service will be held on Monday, January 18, 2016 at 10:00 at the Pleasant View Mennonite Fellowship Hall (3472 County Line Road, Cochranton, PA) with ministers Amos Stoltzfus and Melvin Lehman officiating. The committal service and interment will be at Grace Mennonite Chapel Cemetery. Friends may call at the Pleasant View Mennonite Fellowship Hall on Sunday from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00. Friends are invited to share memories and condolences with the family online at www.snyderfh.com.

              Arrangements are with the Robert L. Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. (3223 Perry Hwy. Sheakleyville, PA 16151).

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