ELKHART - Jack L. Jurhs, Sr., 79, of Bristol, went to be with his Lord following an extended illness on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 9:12 a.m. at Riverside Village in Elkhart.

He was born in Kalamazoo, MI on February 23, 1936 to the late Robert S. "Sidney" Smith and Betty Jean Nelson. Sidney, incidentally, was the creator of the "Andy Gump" comic strip.

Surviving is his spouse Barbara Jurhs of Lakeland, FL; sons Ron (Lisa) Jurhs of Bristol and Jack (Linda) Jurhs of Colon, MI; daughters Sharon (Tom) Stevens of Nottawa, MI; Karen Jurhs of Bristol and Barbara "Bobbi" Jurhs of Lakeland, FL; 16 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

As he wished, Jack is to be cremated and a memorial service will be held at River Oaks Community Church, 58020 CR 115, Goshen, on Tuesday. Feb. 9, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.  Pastor Scott Tilley will officiate and Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart is assisting with arrangements.

Jack retired after many years with Morgan Olson, LLC of Sturgis, MI. He loved to hunt and fish and was a veteran of the US Marine Corps during the Korean War.

Memorial may go to the church.

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