Gerald ‘Jerry’ F. Koontz
Nov. 17, 1930 - July 31, 2008
    TIPPECANOE — Gerald “Jerry” F. Koontz, 77, of 16916 River Ridge Rd., rural Tippecanoe, peacefully entered into eternal rest Thursday, July 31 at 5 a.m. in his home.
    He was born the son of Alvin Koontz and Ethel Thacker Koontz on Nov. 17, 1930 in Fort Wayne. He was a resident of the Bourbon and Tippecanoe area all his life. He was a retired, previously owning Koontz & King Excavating of Bourbon for more than 40 years and was co-owner of River Ridge Inc. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his earlier years.
    Jerry was joined in marriage to Carole Manges on June 20, 1952, she survives along with his five children: Michael Koontz of Bourbon, Ann Harrell of Bourbon, James Koontz of Tippecanoe, Julie Shaw of Lafayette and Lisa (Charles) Dubert of Etna Green. He was further blessed with 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson. Jerry also has two sisters; Melba (Mack) Fetters of Bourbon and Carol (Fred) Ames of Union Mills; and a brother, Alvin Eugene (Marilee) Koontz of Fort Wayne.
    A funeral service to celebrate Jerry’s life will be held Saturday, Aug. 2 at 10 a.m. in Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, 115 S. Main St. Bourbon, with Rev. Bill Kaiser officiating.
    The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.
    Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bourbon.
    The family requests any memorial contributions be made to Potawatomi Wildlife Park or to the Bourbon First United Methodist Church in his memory.
    Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.