Joseph "Joe" Foltz

Joseph"Joe" Foltz, 80, passed away Tuesday, November 5, 2024. He was born February 18, 1944 to Norman and Rhoda (Winters) Foltz in Dayton, OH. 

Joe was raised in Findlay, Ohio and received a bachelor's degree from Miami of Ohio. During this time, Joe enjoyed working with his father building houses for Foltz and Son Construction in Findlay. In 1967 Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force and attended officer training. Joe’s first assignment was at Kelly Air Force base in San Antonio, where he met the love of his life, Peggy Jo. Joe and Peggy were married in 1969 and Joe was deployed to Vietnam in 1970 (Bien Hoa). When Joe returned from Vietnam in 1971, he was stationed at McGuire AFB in New Jersey, where his first son, Joel, was born. In 1974, Joe was assigned to George AFB in Victorville, California, where his second son, Max, was born and Joe earned a masters degree from Golden Gate University. Upon leaving the Air Force in 1978, Joe moved his family to Texas for a time, eventually ending up in Wichita, Kansas in 1979, where he worked for Boeing as a designer until he retired in 2005.

Joe enjoyed traveling with his family, rooting for his boys and their friends playing sports, and watching his favorite teams play on TV. He also enjoyed working around the house, especially building things. He was a jack of all trades, keeping vehicles running and updating and maintaining the house. Joe was strong and stable, he put his family’s needs first, and he was always there to provide them with love, strength and comfort when they needed it. He valued honesty and morality, and taught his children the importance of prayer.

Joe's ever-present sense of humor often erupted in hearty laughter. His jolly nature was matched by the sacrifice, work ethic, and grit that he passed on to his offspring and his unwavering devotion to his family, especially to his wife of 55 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; siblings, Jack Winters Foltz and Vicky Sue Taylor, and sister-in-law, Sue Anne Barber. Joe is survived by his wife of 55 years, Peggy; sons, Joel Foltz and Max (Emily) Foltz; grandchildren, Emmett Foltz, Evelyn Foltz, Ellerie Foltz, and Edyn Foltz; and sister, Val Mikenas. 

Graveside Service: 11 am, Friday, November 15, 2024 at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery, 1208 N. College St., Winfield, KS 67156. 

Joe had a long battle with dementia, including the last 5 years where he resided at Chisolm Place memory care facility. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 535 W. Douglas, S-150, Wichita KS 67213.