Phillip Henry Kuntz
courtesy photo
Phillip Henry Kuntz
RONAN — Phillip Henry Kuntz, age 86, beloved grandpa, and avid lover of classic cars and family, passed away in Ronan, in the presence of his granddaughters on Jan. 12, 2017.
He was born on Oct. 6, 1931, in Joliet, Montana, to Adam Kuntz and Lena Bosch Kuntz, and resided in the Ronan and Butte areas a majority of his lifetime.
In Jan. 1952, at the age of 21, he joined the US Navy where he served for two and a half years on the USS Castor until he was honorably discharged in July 1954. He spent his service time in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor and overseas for a year and a half in Japan and China during the Korean War.
Through his term, he earned a Korean Service (two stars), United Nations and National Defense Award ribbons for his foreign service. In 1959, he married Alta McDonald Burland in Ronan. The couple made their home along with Alta’s three children, Gary, Dennis and Charlotte (Babe), in Butte, where he quarry mine, the mill, and attended welding school in Spokane, Washington. They remained married until Alta passed away in February of 1982.
He later married Carole Hitchcock in October of 1988 in Ronan, and remained in the community residing in Pablo.
When entering into this marriage, he became the grandfather of several grandchildren, (and later on, great-grandchildren), who will all miss him greatly. He was always willing to help those in need; especially the grandkids who needed help often.
He joined the Mission Valley Cruisers Car Club in 1999 and remained a lifetime member. He enjoyed many days driving, working on and restoring vehicles throughout his days and had a special appreciation for the classics.
In August 2014, he entered into a rest home when health barriers prevented him and Carole from caring for each other’s health needs, but every Tuesday, when circumstances allowed, he would catch a ride to Pablo with his niece Laura to visit at the family home. He would bring treats to his special “girls,” after calling in advance to get their weekly orders. The girls always looked forward to Tuesdays, as they knew it was Papa’s visiting day.
He led a full life and made the best of what life had to offer him. He had a great sense of humor, a caring and compassionate heart and a stubborn streak that at times got him into trouble.
Papa held a special place in his heart for his girls who lit up his life. They gave him something to smile and laugh about, and look forward to. He did break promises to be here for graduations and weddings but we know he will be with us, looking down with pride and sending all his love when those days arrive.
The family of Phillip would like to thank all of those who visited him at the rest home as we know he appreciated those of you who came by to check on him. We value the time, concern and friendships that you shared with him.
A memorial service will be held on Feb. 18, 2017, at the St. Ignatius Mission Church at 11 a.m. with lunch being provided at the Ronan V.F.W. Club, following the services.
At his request, his ashes will be placed with Alta in St. Ignatius at a later date during the warmer months.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Ida McGuire, Leona Kuntz, Ralph Kuntz, Esther Clay and Irene Noble; his former wife, Alta McDonald Burland Kuntz; his stepson, Dennis Burland and his dear friend, Sam Cisney.
Phillip’s brother, Henry Kuntz of Ronan; his sister, Shirley Ann Parker of Polson; his wife, Carole Hitchcock-Kuntz of Pablo; step-children, Charlotte (Babe) Burland, Rose and Gary Burland, Shirley and Jack Offill, Tom and Michelle Hitchcock, Vickie and Tim Courville, Mike and Laurie Hitchcock, and Lourie Hitchcock; numerous nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his special “girls,” Brooklynn Matt, Kysis Kaydance and Krymsyn Santos and his close friends, Mike Lee, Dwayne Drake and Tim Arneson survive him.
