William H. (Bill) Kuck, age 78, of New Bremen, died on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 1:15 P.M. at the Heritage Center in Minster.

He was born on June 25, 1946 in Celina, the son of the late Ewald D. and Esther A. (Quellhorst) Kuck. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Christena M. (Evans) Kuck of New Bremen.

Also surviving are his son, Justin (Kathy) Kuck and their children: Allison, Tyler, and Danielle Kuck of Lancaster, Ohio; his daughter Katie (John) Chanter and their children: Oliver and Evelyn Chanter of Exeter, England; as well as his sister Barbara Dill of Alexandra, Virginia, and his sister in-law Beverly Kuck of New Bremen.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter in 1977, and his siblings and their spouses: Helen (Michael) Haeseker, Frances (Richard) Reese, David (Shirley) Kuck, Lee Kuck, and Lois (Bruce) Saintignon.

A graduate of New Bremen High School class of 1964, Bill dedicated his life to his work and supporting his family. His first work was with the Kuck's Silo business at the age of 15. In 1966, Bill joined the Ohio National Guard at the rank of Corporal, serving in the 148th Infantry until 1972. While in the guard, he worked for Hoge Lumber Co. and Dearhage Excavating, and also worked for his brother, Lee, at ConAg/Quality Ready Mix as a mechanic and operator. He then moved on to a 28 year career at Crown Equipment Corp. as a welder and supervisor. For many of those years, he also maintained Kuck's Dairy Farm.

Christena and Bill married on November 7, 1975. For the next 49 years, Bill and Tena shared laughs, tears, and supported each other through the good and bad. With their two children, Bill was there to support them in every strep. In recent years as Grandpa, or to some, "Grandpa with a mustache," it was rare to find him not sharing a loving story about one of this five grandchildren whom he cherished and bragged about to anyone who would listen.

In 1998, Bill joined the New Bremen American Legion Post 241. In 2001, he became a trustee. "There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer - General Jimmy Doolittle. He truly loved maintaining the grounds and the operations of Post 241 and ensuring that all was ready for any and all events. Also in retirement, he became quite fond of his brother David's passion with antique tractors and the plowing competitions that David and his son Bob and David's grandsons Andrew and Eric would participate in.

Bill loved his village and its incredible history. He often took drives through the countryside and pointed out the silos that he and his brothers had built, sharing what buildings in town used to be, and absorbing as much history of the canal as possible. From football on Friday nights, basketball on Saturdays, and volleyball during the week, you could usually find Bill in the stands cheering on his Cardinals.

A Prayer Service will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen with Jody Burge officiating. Private family inurnment will take place in the German Protestant Cemetery in New Bremen.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at the funeral home, prior to the services, from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Memorial contributions in memory of Bill can be made to the New Bremen American Legion or to New Bremen Athletic Boosters.

Condolences can be left online at: www.gilberghartwigfh.com.