Jon Francis Kautz, Sr.

Jon Francis Kautz, Sr.

Jon Francis Kautz, Sr., age 88, of Carlisle, and formerly of Camp Hill, passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2023.  Jon was born on Wednesday, February 20, 1935, in Harrisburg to the late Edwin Charles Kautz and Hazel Verilla (Rowe) Kautz.    In addition to his parents, Jon is preceded in death by his six brothers: Glenn Winberry, Edwin “Bus” Kautz, Floyd “Hap” Kautz, Steve Kautz, Calvin Kautz, Bob Fisher; and his three sisters: Jean Spayd, Doris Garland and Joyce Kautz.

Jon’s survivors include his wife of 66 years, Norma “Rae” (Bramwell) Kautz; his four children: Joyce “Joy” Schauer of Paoli; Jon Kautz, Jr. and his wife, Donna, of Boiling Springs; Brian Kautz and his wife, Katherine, of Enola; Kelly Kautz of Harrisburg; his eight grandchildren: Tara Geskey, Elizabeth Kautz, Jack Kautz, Teddy Kautz, Kiri Spayd, Ben Kautz, Jacob Kautz, Noah Kautz; his five great-grandchildren: Avery, Oscar, Emery, Milo, Jackelyn; his two brothers: Mick Kautz and Wayne Kautz; his sister, Pat Aucker; and several nieces and nephews.

Jon graduated from William Penn High School as part of the class of 1953 and from DeVry Institute in 1955; he was also a proud United States Marine Corps veteran.  He retired from AMP, Inc. in Harrisburg, after 48 years of service working as a developmental electrical engineer.  Jon attended Faith Chapel of Carlisle, where he was extremely active, sang solo and participated in volunteer work.  He loved being a handyman, enjoyed woodworking and even made the children’s cradles and rocking horse.  Jon was very devoted to his family, loved his children and spent a lot of time with his grandchildren.  He always attended his children’s singing, rock and piano performances and took his grandchildren to Knoebels every year.  Jon enjoyed vegetable gardening, bicycling and white water rafting with his children.  He was a bright and driven man and had seven US patents for industrial processes that he came up with.  Jon will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

All are welcome to join Jon’s family at his visitation on Friday, April 14, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. with a service beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Chapel of Carlisle, 1453 Holly Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015; with Pastor Michael Mayer officiating.  Jon’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at his church immediately following the service.  Interment will follow the reception in Rolling Green Cemetery in Camp Hill, where military honors will be presented by the Cumberland County Honor Guard.  Cremation was private.

Due to health reasons, Jon’s family will not be accepting flowers.  They invite those wishing to celebrate Jon’s life with a memorial contribution to make a donation to a charity of your choice.

Jon’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Jon’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign his official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.