Walter A. Kukelhan

Walter A. Kukelhan, 91 years old of Decatur, IN, passed away on Monday, December 12, 2016 in the Swiss Village Nursing Home in Berne where he had been a resident for the past 8 months.

Walter was born on January 31, 1925 in Root Twp, Adams County the son of the late Fred Kukelhan and the late Marie (Schueler) Kukelhan. Walter was united in marriage with Lorna L. Schaefer on January 29, 1949 in Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne and she survives.

Walter served in the United States Navy during World War II where he was deployed to the North Atlantic and Pacific Theaters serving on a destroyer escort, the USS Sloat (DE-245).

Walter was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Decatur where he also served as a former elder. He was also a member of Destroyers Escort Sailors Association (D.E.S.A), the American Legion Post #43 - Decatur, the Adams County Historical Society, and Lutheran Layman's League.

Walter was employed at Decatur Truck and Tractor as a mechanic for 19 years. He then worked as a mechanic at Schaefer Implement in Ft. Wayne for 20 years, retiring in 1988.

Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Lorna L. Kukelhan of Decatur, IN; son, David A. Kukelhan of Cleveland, OH; son, Philip M. Kukelhan of Delaware, OH; daughter, Holly S. (Richard) Romary of Churubusco, IN; son, Jeffrey J. (Julie) Kukelhan of Decatur, IN; sister, Emma Lou Stegmann of Ft. Wayne, IN; sister, Dorothy Oetting of Ft. Wayne, IN; sister, Alice Bauermeister of Ossian, IN; 8 Grandchildren: Joshua David Kukelhan, Daniel Patrick (Fiancé Liz Epperlie) Romary, Ashley Michelle (Greg) Kukelhan-Gotsch, Analisé Denise Kukelhan, Eric Thomas Romary, Janna Nicole Kukelhan, Anna Magdalena Weyburne Kukelhan, and Jonas Walter Weyburne Kukelhan, and 2 Great-Grandchildren: Asher August Gotsch and Fisher Ray Gotsch.

Preceding Walter in death were daughter-in-law: Mary Kay Weyburne in June of 2009; three brothers: Elmer Kukelhan in July of 1999; Albert Kukelhan in February of 2001; and Frederick Kukelhan in October of 2012; and 2 sisters: Betty Hill in February of 1988 and Virginia Hoffman in June of 2013.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 16, 2016 in the Zion Lutheran Church, Decatur with Rev. James Voorman officiating. Following the service Military Honors will be conducted at the church by the American Legion Post 43 Color Guard. Interment will follow in the Decatur Cemetery.

Friends will be received from 2-5 and 6-8, Thursday, December 15, 2016 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials are to Zion Lutheran Church, Decatur; The Lutheran Hour; Zion Lutheran Radio Program; or Worship for Shut Ins.