Kenneth M. Wortinger, 94, of the Franklin United Methodist Community in Franklin, IN and formerly of Elkhart and Paoli, IN passed away Monday, January 9, 2017 at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis, IN. He was born September 20, 1922 in Goshen, IN to Chester and Ruby (Cripe) Wortinger. He married Norma Marie (Merchant) on June 21, 1945 in Elkhart, IN, she preceded him in death in March of 2004. He was a 1940 graduate of Goshen High School. He was a United States Navy Veteran of WW II having served in the South Pacific Theater as an airplane mechanic with the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class. He was stationed at various military airstrips in the Pacific including Tarawa. He owned and operated Wortinger Construction in Elkhart, IN for twenty years and later owned and operated the Tastee-Freeze restaurants in Niles, Michigan and Elkhart, IN and the Hungary Man restaurant in Elkhart, IN. He also later was the manager for Band Instrument Credit Union in Elkhart, IN. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, IN and was active in the Gideon’s organization.
Survivors include his son Reverend John K. Wortinger (Linda) of Greenwood, IN; and his daughter Judy Lynn (Wortinger) Detweiler (Howard) of Paoli, IN; five grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one niece; and two nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Norma Marie (Merchant) Wortinger, his brothers Keith Wortinger in WW II in 1944 and Dallas Wortinger.
The Reverend Andy Kinsey will conduct a service on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 10AM at the Wright Chapel of the Franklin United Methodist Community, 1070 West Jefferson Street, in Franklin, IN. Friends may call Thursday, January 12, 2017 from 9AM till service time at the chapel. A graveside service will follow at 3:30PM on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at West Goshen Cemetery in Goshen, IN with burial to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN, 37214-0800. Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN, is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information at 317-738-0202.

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