Tuesday, September 30, 2008

JWL Died 9.15.2008

A Tribute to my Dad: As many of you already know my Dad, John Lutterbein passed away on September 15th, 2008. John is survived by his wife Myrtle, four children, Carol Johnson, Ruth Fischer, Bill Lutterbein and Alice Young, and ten grandchildren. John was a member of the Edgerton United Methodist Church, the Edgerton Masonic Lodge #357, John D. Smith Post #10 of the Edgerton American Legion, and the Edgerton Rotary Club, of which he was a Paul Harris Fellow, Past President and Rotarian of the Year. He and his brother, Dick, are also past Citizens of the Year in Edgerton.

Dad had two brothers, Dick and Ed and one sister, Marion. They were raised in Hicksville and Edgerton by their parents, Ben and Alma Lutterbein. Ben and Alma purchased a business at the current Lutterbein Lumber Company site in 1924. John and Dick came back to work the family business after the army and college. Over the last 84 years that company grew and evolved into what is now Building Concepts, Inc.

Dad had a passion for that family business and never stopped thinking about it. The last three years when he was in assisted living struggling with Parkinson's disease he would always want to talk business when I visited. He never thought of himself; only how Mom was, or how Dick was or how can I help you Bill or is the money coming in o.k.?

Dad did everything 100% and could do anything he put his mind to. He and Mom both got their pilots license the year they turned 60. What a team they made. It was obvious to us kids that they loved each other very much. Not only did they raise four children, they had exchange students from Yugoslavia, Japan and New Zealand.

When we were planning the funeral, my sister Ruth remembered Dad had a favorite Bible verse. It was in the book of Micah 6:8. It pretty well described my Dad. "And what does the LORD require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Dad was a humble, but proud man, he was kind and compassionate, and he taught my sisters and me what is right and just.

Well, life goes on, the sun continues to shine, the crops will grow, babies are born and people die. We are all on earth for a short time, my Dad did his best. Our family greatly appreciates all the cards, memorials, kind words, support and prayers we have received. I miss my father, my business partner, my advisor, my hero, and my friend.

Sincerely, Bill Lutterbein

Click on the Title to see pictures of John.