Roger Fredrick Shurtz

Tue, 05/12/2009 - 3:29pm
By: The Citizen

Roger Fredrick Shurtz, 95, Fayetteville, died May 5, 2009. He was born June 22, 1913, in Waltonville, Ill., the first child of Carl H. and Georgia Fairchild Shurtz. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Bates Shurtz, who died in January 1966, and a sister, Dorothy Ferris. He grew up on a farm and attended the local schools, graduating from Mt. Vernon High School in 1930. He enlisted in the United States Navy in August, 1933, retiring with the rank of Lt. Commander in July, 1961. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict and earned seven medals and commendations.

After retirement he became actively involved in civic and social affairs of the community, including 15 years with the Boy Scouts of America, the Parent Teachers Association, and especially the Shriners Crippled Children's Program. He was an active member of the Masons F&AM, a member of the Reserve Assn., Life member of the VFW, Retired Officers Assn., the Knights of Templar, Sojourners and the Royal Order of Jesters.

Services and interment will be at a later date at the Georgia National Cemetery. Survivors include sons, Richard Shurtz, Atlanta, and Robert and Joanna Shurtz, Canton; a daughter, Nettie and Tom Wilson, Fayetteville; brothers, Max and Ruth Shurtz, and Rodney and Margie Shurtz, all of Mt. Vernon, Ill., and A. J. and Mary Shurtz, San Antonio, Fla.; sisters, Carolyn Hirons, Mt. Vernon, Ill., and Barbara Shurtz, Waltonville, Ill; grandchildren, Christopher, Winston, Ashley and Taylor Shurtz, and Andrew Wilson; and great-grandchildren, Lindsey, Abby, Mallory and Chandler Shurtz. Cremation Society of the South at Eagles Landing was in charge.

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