Delbert R. Kuntz
Delbert R. Kuntz, 95, passed away on Nov. 9, 2023, at Indianhead Estates in Weiser.
He was born March 23, 1928, at home, four miles north of Weiser, Idaho on Monroe Creek to Albert S. Kuntz and Ada Smith Kuntz. He graduated from Weiser High School in 1945 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in August, 1945.
His Army assignment was to the University of Utah under the ASTRP Program, of which was discontinued at the end of the school year in June, 1946. He was then assigned to basic training at Fort MacClelland, Alabama, and on to 1st Cavalry Division, 8th Battalion in Tokyo, Japan. He was honorably discharged in June, 1947.
He was employed at Pacific Farmers Coop in Weiser until his appointment to Weiser Postal Service on Dec. 1, 1948. He was appointed Assistant Postmaster in 1953, and served as an employee and supervisor in the Postal Service for 37 years, retiring on Nov. 29, 1985. In 1960 he was elected state president of the National Association of Postal Supervisors and later became state secretary of that Association.
He married Marilyn Judd on May 31, 1951. From this union was born two sons, Philip and Bret. They were later divorced.
He married Clara McMullen Baker on May 24, 1964. They had a daughter and four stepchildren from former marriages.
Delbert was very interested in sports and played as a catcher on league-winning Farmers Coop and Weiser Elks softball teams. He also played on city league basketball teams.
With friends Otto Rast and Bill Betts, Delbert backpacked into the primitive Bighorn, White Cloud, and Salmon River Rim for 11 years for a week of fishing each summer.
On Dec. 6, 1949, Delbert was initiated into Weiser Lodge No. 23 A.F. & A.M. of Weiser Masonic Lodge, and has been a continuous member for over 60 years. On Jan. 12, 1952, Delbert was initiated into Weiser Lodge 1683 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and has been a continuous member for over 60 years. He was elected Exalted Ruler of Weiser Lodge 1683 for Lodge years 1959-60, and again in 1963-64.
After Delbert’s retirement from U.S. Postal Service in 1985, he and wife, Clara, spent seven winters in Yuma, Ariz., and McAllen, Texas, traveling in their RV. They were very active in square and round dancing, both while traveling and upon their return home to Weiser.
Delbert was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Ada Kuntz, daughter Monica (Brad) Royse, brother Kenneth Kuntz, sister Evelyn (Lyle) Webb, sister Emma (Boles) Cockerum, sister Eleanor (Charles) Hunnel.
He leaves son Philip Kuntz, son Bret (Kerri) Kuntz, stepson Jerry Baker, stepdaughter Wanda (Jim) Goins, grandson Dustin Royse, and granddaughter Reanna Royse, five step-grandsons, Jerry, Gary, Michael, David Baker, and Clinton Goins, step-granddaughters Tina Benson and Teresa Baker.
A graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15, under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home.
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Signal American
18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
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