Carl Edward Lutz, 90, of Houtzdale died peacefully Sept. 9, 2017 at his home with loved ones.
He was born Oct. 28, 1926 in Blackburn to the late John and Victoria (Moskalik) Lutz.
His family lived on a farm and mined coal, instilling in him a hard work ethic from childhood, which he retained throughout his lifetime.
He attended the Madera High School. In 1944, he served in World War II with the U.S. Navy in Pensacola, Fla. After the War, he returned home and continued on creating his legacy.
On Oct. 27, 1951, he married Anna Lucas at the St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ramey.
The two lived in Erie for a decade where their first three children were born – William Lutz, Karen (Paul) Gardner and Deborah (Joseph) Tarbay.
During his time there, he worked for General Electric.
The family returned to Houtzdale in the early 1960’s, where he was foreman and laborer in constructing buildings at Penn State University and then the coal mine.
He ultimately retired from Mine 33 in Ebensburg as a member of the United Mine Workers Association.
He and Anna had two more daughters, Lisa Ludwig (Tim Tekely) and Mary Jo (Stephen) Kitko, later in life.
All children and their families reside in Houtzdale and are proud of this heritage created by him and Anna.
Like many, his lifetime included successes along with hardships. His successes include a large family and many friendships, as well as his strong faith in God through his membership of Christ the King Catholic Church.
This faith guided him through his hardships, most notably the passing of his wife, Anna, on April 22, 1988, and then his grandson, Dylan Ludwig, on Aug. 9, 2015.
After the passing of his wife, he spent many happy years in the companionship of Beverly Marchincin, of which his family is so grateful for her and her family to be part of their lives.
He is remembered for his love of family, making time to be at every event, opening his home for family when they are in need and his meticulous and fruitful gardening skills.
He served as a member of the Houtzdale Borough Council, Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.
In addition to his parents, wife and grandson, he was preceded in death by his brothers, John and Joseph and sisters, Mary Brennan, Frances Christoff, Helen Kavala and Blanche Behun.
In addition to his five children who survive him, he is also survived by grandchildren, Michelle (Tyler) Grube, Joseph (Lindsey) Tarbay, Pamela Washell, Jacob Ludwig and Cole Tekely and Hannah and Emma Kitko; great-grandchildren, Annie and Lainey Grube, Noah and Samantha Tarbay and Bo and Trey Washell; a sister, Eleanor Rebon; and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Birger A. Freeberg Funeral Home, Houtzdale.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday. The Alter Rosary Society will pray the Rosary at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Christ the King Church, Houtzdale, with Father Zab Amar officiating.
Burial will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery with graveside military honors accorded by the Houtzdale American Legion Honor Guard.