Walt Rutz

1942 - 2025

Walt Rutz, 83, of Middle Road, Munnsville, passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Oneida Healthcare Center surrounded by his loving family following a lengthy illness.

He was born January 1, 1942, in Rome, NY, the son of William Rutz and Gladys Snyder. He was a 1960 graduate of the VVS High School.

On May 29, 1963, Walt was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary Disburger, of New London, NY.

Walt worked various jobs including milk delivery, hauling clams, mail delivery and finally as a truck driver (which he loved) until he retired.

Our father loved fishing, reading, taking long car rides, mowing his lawn and spending time with his family. He loved being outside in his own back yard enjoying the birds, blueberry bushes, apple trees and especially our mother's flowers. He always had a tale to tell and a gift for remembering every detail like it was yesterday.

Our dad was a human GPS. If we were headed on a trip somewhere he always knew the best route to take, everything we would encounter along the way and where every Dunkin Donut location was. He loved a good joke and had the best sense of humor under all circumstances. But above all these things, he loved our mother best.

Surviving besides his loving wife, Mary; are his four children, Jeff (Lisa Hiscox) Rutz of Munnsville, Tammy (Mark) Goldthrite of Copenhagen, Lisa Rutz of Munnsville, and David (Kate) Rutz of Phoenix, AZ; seven grandsons, all of who were his favorite, Zach (Whitney Chandler) Overton, Dustin (Breanne) Rutz, Tristan Rutz, Spencer Tifft, Sully Tifft, Shay Tifft and Wyatt Mellor; two great-granddaughters, Reagan and Riley Rutz; his sister, Wanda Antilla; and three special people in his life Diana Novoselya, Emma Marshall and Laney Coakley.

We also wish to thank the many incredible nurses of the 4th floor and ICU at Oneida Healthcare Center. A very special thank you to Dr. Gayle, Dr. Khokar, nurse Sue in the ICU and Reverend Neil Coe.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 5:00 PM at the Ironside Funeral Home, Inc., where the Rev. Neil Coe will officiate. Interment will take place in Stockbridge Cemetery at a future date. Family and friends are invited and may call on Thursday prior to the service from 4:00 to 5:00 PM at the funeral home, 342 Main St., Oneida. We ask that everyone wear jeans and their best plaid shirt in honor of our father's daily outfit. In lieu of flowers, our father requested donations be made to the Munnsville Volunteer Fire Department. You may view the obituary and send the family a message of sympathy at www.ironsidefuneralhome.com.

"I shall grow old but never lose life's zest." -Dad's 1960 yearbook quote.

Thank you, Dad, for adding zest to our lives. We love you.