Merlin 'Bud' Lutz

MERLIN EDWARD "BUD" LUTZ

Vinton

Merlin Edward "Bud" Lutz, 95, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at his residence in rural Vinton following a brief illness. He was a lifelong resident of Benton County. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at Blessed Hope Church in Vinton followed by a luncheon in the church fellowship hall. Private family inurnment will take place in Greenwalt Cemetery, rural Vinton.

Bud was born June 7, 1920, on the family farm in the rural Keystone, Iowa, area, the son of Edward and Mary Vogler Lutz. He attended country school north of his family's farm. On June 20, 1942, he was united in marriage with Katherine Margaret Snyder at the Christian Church in Vinton. The couple farmed together in the Vinton area. She preceded him in death on June 23, 2014.

Bud had been a member of the Vinton Presbyterian Church and was currently a member of Blessed Hope. He enjoyed farming, gardening and nature.

Bud is survived by his children, Gene (Inger) Lutz of Cedar Falls, Connie Martinez of Edwardsville, Ill., and Michael (Shelley) Lutz of Vinton; two brothers, Robert (Carol) Lutz of Vinton and Clarence (Julie) Lutz of Lookout Mountain, Ga.: two sisters, Alberta LaVine of Germantown, Wis., and Dorothy Schulte of Norway; nine grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 72 years, Katherine; brother Marion Lutz; and sister Phyllis Harrison.

Memorials may be made to the Merlin Lutz Memorial.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Bud and his family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.