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.

Burky Reunion 2008

Hello Friends,
The Burky Reunion happened again and was still fun and worth the 894 mile round trip to Helvetia, West Virginia. We took our 86 year old in-laws and had a nice time at the same time. We are happy for their good health.

We left Edgerton on Friday at 7:45 a.m. and arrived at Helvetia, WV around 6:15 that evening. We spent about two hours in Athens Ohio for lunch and a visit to The Donkey coffee shop. The owners were in Cosigner with our son-in-law while he was at OU. Then of course we had to buy a couple of Ohio University tee shirts.

When we got to Helvetia, we couldn't find anyone we knew, so we went searching for Sandy's house by memory from last year and low and behold, we found it first try. Luckily, we drove our little SUV because I would not have tried to drive a car up the steep and rocky driveway. When we got there the fun was happening and dinner was just about ready. Good timing. Great food, some local home made wine made things nearly perfect. We got back to Grandpa Johns around 11:00 p.m.

Saturday we slept in and the had lunch at Norman's cabin. That afternoon we mostly sat around under the trees and talked about the past and what happened to us this last year. These are wonderful times. Old and not so old communicating and relaxing.

Saturday night we went to the Helvetia town hall for a potluck and local music. See an example in the film clip. We call the banjo player BanJovi. He loves to play and has only been playing around 5 years. He is a kidder, so he gets kidded a lot back. Uncle Vernon, the fiddle player has been playing there for 60 plus years. The other two are newer, but both very good musicians. Food, fun, music, love, respect, and acceptance. West Virginia is almost heaven at least for a few days each year.

Sunday we went to the little wood frame country church and praised God for our good fortune and worshiped with friends and family. I might add I knew all three hymns and enjoyed singing out the base part.

After Church, we went back to Grandpa Johns, packed everything up and went to Alvan's house for another potlock and pictures. After that we headed back northwest towards Ohio.

More later