Walter Lee Ernst Kuhlhorst

Walter Lee Ernst Kuhlhorst, age 89, of Van Wert, died at 9:22 PM Friday, June 9, 2017, at the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice.  He was born February 10, 1928, in New Bremen, Ohio, the son of the late Leo and Esther (Kuck) Kuhlhorst.  On August 19, 2016, he married Julie (Thomas) Kuhlhorst who survives him in Van Wert;

He is also survived by his children Jefri Voelkel of Indianapolis, IN, Eric (Roberta) Kuhlhorst of Auburn, IN, Neal (Debbie) Kuhlhorst of Cumming, GA, Jill (Layton) John of Angola, IN, Grandchildren Courtney (Jade) Holt, Jacob (Kelly) Voelkel, Meredith Voelkel, Paul (Michelle) Kuhlhorst, Nicholas (Kelly Moody) Kuhlhorst, Kathryn, Michael, and Maryneal Kuhlhorst, Alexander Murray, Madelyn Murray, Great-grandchildren Isaac and Elle Kuhlhorst, Harlow and Brooks Holt, and Stella Kuhlhorst.  He is also survived by step- grandchildren Layton (Ann) John, Jr, Joshua (Meredith) John, Brant Reynolds,Brittany (Grant)Seltenriht,  Step Great-grandchildren Evan & Dylan John, Riley John,  Kennedy & Eleanor Seltenriht, Layla John.  He was preceded in death by a daughter Leigh Murray and a sister June Kuhlhorst.

Walter was an educator and began his career by obtaining a BS in Education from the University of Cincinnati followed by an MS in Education from Indiana University.  Over the years he did additional work on his Masters in Elementary Education at the University of Akron.  He served as  Principal at Union-Whitten Community Schools in Union, Iowa, and also as coach of the boys and girls track and basketball programs.  His boys basketball team had an undefeated season.  He served as a Claims Counselor at Indiana Employment Security in Fort Wayne, IN.  He served as Guidance Counselor at Dekalb High School Waterloo, IN,  also at Barberton High School, Barberton, Ohio, Green High School, Uniontown, Ohio, and at Southern Ohio Correctional Institution in Lucasville, Ohio.  He served at Indiana Vocational and Technical College in Fort Wayne as Counselor and Director of the Evening Division

Walter was a Navy Veteran of World War II having served aboard the USS Hopi.  He attended First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert and was a member of the Van Wert YMCA, Military Order of Turtles, Ohio Association of Retired Teachers, and was a Patron of the Niswonger, Community Concert Series, and the Van Wert Civic Theater.  He was a talented dancer and belonged to many area dancing organizations.  Walter was very sports minded participating in track, bicycling, and swimming events and once had qualified to run in the Boston Marathon.  He belonged to the Minnesota Bicycling Association  which took him to 49 States and many foreign countries.   He was a dedicated fan of all Indiana University sports and Cincinnati Reds Baseball.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday. June 14 , at Brickner Funeral Home with Rev Hal Shafer officiating.  Friends may call at Brickner Funeral Home from Noon to time of Services Wednesday.

Preferred Memorials are to the Niswonger Performing Arts, the Van Wert YMCA and YWCA.