Kenneth Bultemeier, Sr.

Kenneth Bultemeier Sr., 85, of Decatur, Ind. Passed away Thursday afternoon, December 7, 2023 at his residence.

Ken was born August 21, 1938 in Decatur to the late Lawrence Bultemeier and the late Ida (Gallmeier) Bultemeier.

Ken was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during peacetime from July 1956 – July 1958, where he was stationed on the USS Saratoga.

Ken was united in marriage to Dorothy M. Vinson on April 4, 1959, and she preceded him in death on September 3, 2013.

He was a faithful member of the PBR Club at the Hi-Ho Inn in Poe.

Ken retired in 2001 from International Harvester / Navistar in Fort Wayne and Springfield. He was also a lifelong farmer, a passion that he learned from a young age.

Ken was cherished by his family for the support he gave them throughout their lives. He took great pride in his gardening and was known for trading with other “gardeners.” He was very fond of fishing, which led him to Minnesota annually for over 40 years. After the passing of Dorothy, he learned to like the “beach life” by vacationing in Florida. For over 50 years he annually attended the Indy 500. He shared that joy of racing by taking each of his grandchildren, along with a friend, to the Indy 500 on the year of their graduation from high school. His family knew him as a casually fanatical IU fan who also enjoyed long hours playing cards, especially pedro.

Ken is lovingly survived by his daughter, Sandra (Thomas) Bearman of Evansville, Ind.; son, Ken (Sally) Bultemeier, Jr. of Decatur; daughter, Sharon (Kevin) White of Hoagland, Ind.; son, Jerald Bultemeier of Decatur; two brothers, Wilmer Bultemeier of Berne, Ind. and Donald (Maxine) Bultemeier of Decatur; sister, Delores Scherer of Fort Wayne, Ind.; 10 grandchildren:  Shayla (Rev. Tom) Roma, Olivia (Eric) Tharp, Shelby (Jared) Williams, Courtney (Brandon) Loshe, Cody White, Caylen (Max) Weisberger, Carson White, and Emily Bultemeier; and eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Melvin Bultemeier and Delbert Bultemeier, and two sisters, Hilda Harmon and Irene Kraft.

In following Ken’s wishes, private family services were held at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home – Jacobs Chapel with burial following at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Hessen Cassel.

Preferred memorials are to Worship Anew and Heart to Heart Hospice (send to 520 North Second Street, Decatur, IN 46733).

Arrangements are by the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel, Monroeville, Indiana.