Jonas Oltman Lucht obit submitted
Jonas Oltman Lucht was born February 20, 1926, to Oltman and Sophia Basche Lucht on their farm in rural Iona, Minnesota. He attended Country School District 82 through the eighth grade. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at the Pfingsten Church, rural Fulda, Minnesota. He was active in the church, especially Sunday School. He farmed for his widowed mother until 1944, when he was drafted into the United States Army during World War II. He was mustered in at Fort Snelling, St. Paul, Minnesota. He trained at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, and served in the Phillippine Islands as an MP for two years.
After discharge, he worked for a number of years in Illinois on a farm and then in 1953 he re-enlisted and served at Camp Claybanks, Michigan, where he met his first wife, Nellie Grant. They married in 1954. Nellie died in 1985. He then married Betty Lou Gerrick in 1990. She died in 1998.
While living in Michigan, Jonas worked for Misco Manufacturing Company, Whitehall, Michigan. As long as his health permitted he ushered at his church - First Evangelical Lutheran.
Jonas' hobbies were gardening, playing cards and hunting. He was very proud of his horse "Bell". In his early years, he enjoyed going to the local Senior Center for food and fellowship with his many friends.
Survivors include one son, Michael, and his wife, Pamela, and two grandsons, Jeffrey and Joey, one sister, Sophia Lucht Hein of Fulda, Minnesota, one brother-in-law, George Isder, Fulda, Minnesota, one sister-in-law, Mildred Oldham, Alamo, Texas. He lived with his niece, Lilia and Miguel Ventura, his care givers for the last eight years, Nunica, Michigan. Many nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
Jonas was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Andrew, John, Alvin, Fred and Max, and sisters Katherine Lucht, Lydia Isder and Fanny Dittman.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1206 N. Whitehall Road, N. Muskegon, Michigan, with Pastor Bill Uetricht, officiating. The funeral services ended with the song, "God Be With You Until We Meet Again". Pallbearers were: Duane Lucht, George Isder, Todd Bergren, Miguel Ventura and James Williams.
Following the service the Muskegon County Council VFW Honor Guard conducted a Military Service at the church. Commander Roger Knopf opened the service and the Officer of the Day, Dale Brodrick gave a special military address. Chaplain Charles Ritter gave a inspirational closing prayer. Bugler Bernard Kersting played taps. Seven Riflemen gave a 21 gun salute.