Kenneth Waltz

1948 - 2024

Mr. Kenneth Wylie "Doc" Waltz, age 76, of Madison, Indiana, entered into this life on April 12, 1948, in Michigan City, Indiana.

He was the loving son of the late Francis Carl and Gertrude Elizabeth Steinborn Waltz. He was raised in Michigan City and graduated in 1966 from Elston High School. He majored in political science and English from Purdue University.

He was inducted into the United States Navy on July 24, 1967, in Michigan City, Indiana, during the Vietnam War. He served a tour in Vietnam and was exposed to agent orange, which affected his health the rest of his life. He was honorably discharged on April 22, 1969, at the U.S. Naval Station at Long Beach, California, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Navy-Marine Corps, Republic Of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Expert Marksmanship Badge Rifle, M-16 Marksmanship, and the Purple Heart Medal on April 25, 1968, and returned home.

He became an detective with the Michigan City Police Department and moved up the ranks to corporal where he retired after more than 20 years of service. He returned to military life and was inducted into the United States Army on Sept. 8, 1991, and rose to the rank of sergeant serving in Company A, 17th Maintenance Battalion 593D ASS SA SA and served in Desert Storm, he was honorably discharged on Nov. 14, 1991, receiving the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Southwest Asia Service Medal, and he returned home.

Doc, as he was known, was also a firearms instructor for many years. He was united in marriage on Nov. 17, 1991, in Michigan City to Roxanne Thornberry. This happy union of 33 years blended two families together. He held membership in the American Legion, the VFW, and the FOP Lodge.

Doc enjoyed woodworking, and was a hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman and a master naturalist. Doc and Roxanne resided in La Porte, Indiana, and then moved to Bonham, Texas, for 10 years; they later retired to Madison in 2015.

After moving to Madison they became active members at Liberty Christian Church near Madison. Doc was a hardworking and dedicated family man, who was a true patriot. Doc died on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 5:05 a.m. at the Norton King's Daughters' Hospital in Madison, Indiana.

Doc will be missed by his loving wife of 33 years, Roxanne Thornberry Waltz of Madison, Indiana; his children, Karen Blanchard of Rolling Prairie, Indiana, Kelly Waltz and his wife, Corrina of Ivanhoe, Texas, Keith Waltz and his wife, Becki of La Porte, Indiana, Leslie Phelps and her husband, William of Madison, Indiana, and Justin Kanger and his wife, Jen of Michigan City, Indiana; his grandchildren, Cody (Mariah), Kevin, Austin, Whittney, Sandra, Morgan, Iyana and Kamea; his great-grandchildren, Kennedy and Grant; his brother, John Waltz and his wife, Lori of La Porte, Indiana; his sisters, Janice Casper and her husband, Andy of La Porte, Indiana, and Ellen Platz and her companion, Todd of Erie, Pennsylvania; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father, Francis Carl Waltz; his mother, Gertrude Elizabeth Steinborn Waltz; his son in law, Ron Blanchard; his grandson, Kyle Blanchard; and his brothers-in-law, Michael Thornberry and David Platz.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 1 p.m. by Bro. Jake Brown at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel, 1415 North Gate Road in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow later in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1415 North Gate Road in Madison, Indiana.

Friends may call Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel, 1415 North Gate Road in Madison, Indiana.

A final salute with military honors will be provided by the Major Samuel Woodfill Post No. 9 of the American Legion and the Great Lakes Naval Ceremonial Unit.

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to Liberty Christian Church, Wounded Warriors or the House of Hope Back Pack Program. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Madison and Hanover or at the cemetery chapel.

Online condolences, remembrances and memorials can be left at www.morgan-nay.com.