Charles, Elvia, Sylvan and Lester
The Bremen Enquirer, 7/16/1953, page 1
Chas. E. Koontz, Near 90, Dies Of Heart Failure
Charles E. Koontz, dean of Bremen’s business men, who has been in failing health for several years, died of a heart attack in his home at 309 North Montgomery street Thursday at 1:45 p.m. He was observing his sixtieth wedding anniversary with Mrs. Koontz and the two were talking quietly with friends who had called, when tha atttack came. Mr. Koontz would have reached the age of ninety years next month.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon in First Evangelical Reformed church, Rev. J.M. Michael officiating. Burial was in Bremen cemetery where the Masonic lodge conducted graveside ceremonies.
Charles Edward Koontz, born Aug. 26, 1863, was the son of John and Catherine (Hans) Koontz. He grew to manhood and spent his entire life in Bremen. As a young man he became a registered pharmacist and with his brother, the late Frank J. Koontz, operated a drug store and established the local telephone company. Later their business enterprises were separated and Mr. Koontz took over the management of the telephone company, which he later reorganized into the Bremen Telephone Corporation. He was president of the corporation until the time of his death, but had been inactive for several years.
Mr. Koontz was identified with many civic and community enterprises. He served on the old Bremen school board several terms. As a young man he was a member of the old No. 4 Hose Company in the 1880’s and ‘90s when it held world records in firemen’s tournaments in Indiana and the midwest. He was a Past Chancellor and active member of the old Knights of Pythias lodge before its dissolution and was affiliated with Bremen Lodge No. 414, F &. A.M., the Scottish Rite and the Shrine. He was a member of the First Evangelical Reformed church.
He was married July 9, 1893, to Elvia Wahl of Bremen who survives, with one daughter, Mrs. Mary Catherine Hinkle of Long Beach, Cal., and a stepson, Roy Wahl of Eau Gallie, Forida [sic]. There are nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
The Bremen Enquirer, 9/8/1960, page 8
Mrs. Charles E. Koontz
Mrs. Elvia J. Koontz, 90, of 309 North Montgomery street, died Friday evening in Community Hospital. She died of complications resulting from a fall August 21.
Mrs. Koontz was born August 26, 1870, in St. Joseph county, the daughter of Michael and Mary (Fink) Wahl, and was a lifetime resident of Bremen. She was married July 9, 1893 to Charles E. Koontz, who died in 1953.
She was a member of First Evangelical and Reformed church, an honorary life member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Bremen community Hospital Auxiliary, and the Friendly Hour home demonstration club.
Mrs. Koontz is survived by a daughter, Mrs. George Hinkle of Long Beach, California; one son, Roy, of Melbourne, Florida; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Forrest Wood of Bremen; nine grandchildren; and seventeen great grandchildren. A son, Lester Koontz, preceded her in death in 1953.
Funeral services were held Monday morning at 10:30 o’clock in First church with Rev. J.M. Michael officiating. Burial was in the Bremen cemetery.
Return to Charles and Elvia (Wahl) Koontz card
The Bremen Enquirer, 7/19/1945, page 1
Sylvan E. Koontz
Sylvan Edgar Koontz, fifty-one years old, who was born in Bremen and grew to manhood here, died Friday evening in Elkhart General hospital, where he had been taken after an illness of several months from a heart ailment and complications. He lived at 417 South Sixth street in Elkhart and operated a drug store in that city for sixteen years.
Mr. Koontz was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Koontz and was born in Bremen April 10, 1894. He was graduated from Bremen high school and was married to Hilda B. Walters of Nappanee in 1914. She survives with their only son, Staff Sergeant Charles S. Koontz, who is stationed at Camp Atterbury. Surviving also are his parents and one brother, Lester Koontz of Bremen; one sister, Mrs. Mary Katherine Hinkle of Long Beach, California; and a half-brother, Roy Wahl, of Detroit.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon in the White mortuary in Elkhart, Rev. Delbert Flora of the First Brethren church of Elkhart officiating. Burial was in Rice cemetery, Elkhart.
Attending the funeral service from Bremen were Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Koontz, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Koontz, Miss Ruth Koontz, Mrs. W.C. Foltz, Mrs. Bertha Felden and Mrs. H. O. Holderman, Mrs. John Lechner of South Bend, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Koontz, accompanied them.
The Bremen Enquirer, 12/25/1952, page 1
Lester E. Koontz
Lester E. Koontz, fifty-three years old, manager of the Bremen Telephone corporation and prominent in the business life of his home community, died unexpectedly at his home at 205 West Mill street Thursday a few minutes after noon. He had been up and about his business as usual until the time he succumbed.
Born in Bremen May 22, 1899, Mr. Koontz had spent his life in this community. He was the son of Charles E. and Elva (Wahl) Koontz, both of whom survive. He was married to Ruth Bennett Nov. 19, 1920, who survives with their two children - a daughter, Mrs. Jane Lechner, and a son, James, at home. He leaves also a sister, Mrs. George Hinkle of Long Beach, California, and a brother, Roy Wahl, of Eau Gallie, Florida.
As manager of the local telephone company, Mr. Koontz was associated with various telephone organizations. He was a member of Bremen Lodge No. 414, F. & A.M.; the Royal Arch chapter of Nappance; the Scottish Rite in South Bend; and the Marshall County Actual Past Masters’ Association. He was a member of Post 191 of the American Legion and of the Bremen conservation club.
He was a member of First Evangelical Reformed church, where funeral services were held Sunday afternoon with Rev. John M. Michael, the pastor, officiating. Bremen Lodge held graveside ceremonies in Bremen cemetery.
The Bremen Enquirer 8/8/1968 (Thu) page 2
Mrs. Wood, Past Worthy Matron, Dies
Mrs. Ruth I. Wood, 63, R.R. 3, Bremen, died Friday, Aug. 2.
Mrs. Wood was a member of the First United church of Christ and the Bremen chapter of Order of Eastern Star, of which she was a Past Worthy Matron.
She was born Sept. 10, 1904 at Wolf Lake to John and Jettie May Addis Bennet.
Mrs. Wood was married Nov. 19, 1921 to Lester Koontz, who preceded her in death in 1952. She was married April 1, 1954 to Forrest Wood, who also preceded her in death.
Survivors include two children, Mrs. Robert L. Miller of South Bend; and James Koontz; two brothers, Charles Bennett, Tulsa, Ariz.; and John Bennett, Norwalk, Ohio; five sisters, Mrs. Frances Dinges, Mansfield, Ohio; Mrs. Francis Nedolast of New Washington, Ohio; Mrs. Albert Erbs, Attica, Ohio; Mrs. Donald Francisco of Norwalk, Ohio; and Mrs. Chester Craig, Willard, Ohio; and six grandchildren.
Services were conducted Monday at Netzen-Giant Funeral Home, with Rev. Marwood Rettig officiating. Burial was in Bremen Cemetery.
Return to Ruth Bennett Koontz Wood card
The Bremen Enquirer, 5/15/1952, page 1
John J. Lechner
Burial services were held here Saturday morning for John J. Lechner, South Bend attorney, who died Wednesday in St. Joseph hospital, South Bend, where he had been a patient since April 6.
Born Aug. 7, 1914, Mr. Lechner was graduated from the law school of the University of Notre Dame in 1938 and became associated with the firm of Arnold, Chipman, Degnan & Associates. He was active in politics and was a former president of the Young Democrats organization of St. Joseph county. He was secretary of the St. Joseph County Association of Fraternal and Service Clubs and secretary of the South Bend lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose.
He was married Feb. 19, 1945 to Jane Koontz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Koontz of Bremen, who survives.