Melvin W. Kurtz

Melvin W. Kurtz, 88, of Venice, Florida died at his home June 22, 2010. His life will be celebrated with a burial at sea by the Great Burial Reef Company of Sarasota, FL. and a memorial get together this coming fall. He and his wife, Elaine, who preceded him in death, will be reunited again in this double ceremony. Melvin W. Kurtz died after a short bout with cancer. He was born February 2, 1922 on Kelly’s Island, Ohio to Robert and Lydia Kurtz and moved to Alpena, Michigan with his family, which included three sisters and two brothers, when he was just 2 years old. After graduating from Alpena High School, he worked for Mulvena Truck Lines, met the love of his life, Elaine Marciniak and married her on December 9, 1943 while on leave from the Armed Forces. He served 2 years in WWII. His 65 years of marriage ended with Elaine’s death in 2009. In 1952, Melvin and his partner, John VanSchoick built and started the original KUR VAN BAIT AND TACKLE, on the north end of Alpena on US 23. They stayed in business there until 1973 when Melvin obtained his real estate license and went to work for Real Estate One before moving to Florida in 1975. In Alpena he belonged to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. In Florida, Mel and Elaine both worked until their retirement and then loved to travel. They took several roads trips, up east, out west, and did some cruising. Their favorite was probably their trip up the Mississippi on a paddleboat where they explored many cities along the way. They remained avid golfers and enjoyed the sport tremendously. Melvin was a true Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan and never missed their games. Melvin is survived by his son and daughter: Charles and Laura Kurtz of Jacksonville, FL and Christine Gruschke of Englewood, FL; five grandchildren: Conrad Gruschke and wife, Tamara of Browns Mills , NJ, Angela Gruschke and fianc�e, Matt Burgess of Winter Park, FL and Amy, Matthew and Hannah Kurtz of Jacksonville, FL; and his sisters, Marion Wilcox of Rio Rancho, NM and Nelda K. Balch of Venice, FL; his brothers, Donald Kurtz of Alpena, MI, and Robert Kurtz and his wife Bridget of Fairfield Glade, TN. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and friends and his brother in-law, Raphael “Bud” Marciniak, of Alpena, MI.. In addition to his parents and his wife, Melvin was preceded in death by his sister and husband, Florence and Cass Shalla, his sisters-in-law, Eleanor Kurtz and Phyllis “Peg” Kurtz, all of Alpena, Michigan; and his brother-in-law, Donald Balch of Kalamazoo, Michigan.