He was born September 28, 1947 in New Kensington, PA to Charles and Grace (Sathoff) Kurth. He married Nancy Wilcoxen.
Surviving are his two sons, Nathan (Jeanette) Kurth of Hanna City and Jared (Amanda) Kurth of Peoria; four grandchildren, Zander, Hunter, August, and Allison; and four siblings, Neil Herman (Judy) Kurth of Dunlap, Wayne (Sharon) Kurth of Fairbury, Mark (Diane) Kurth of Bartonville, and Jane (Rick) Weising of Thornton, CO.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew, Daniel "Danny" Kurth.
Eric served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and then with the IL Army National Guard. Where he enjoyed static displays and flight demonstrations in Chinook Helicopters at various air shows. He made two trips to the Boeing factory in Pennsylvania to bring back new aircraft for the newly formed 106th F Troop. He retired as a CW4 with master aviator wings in 2000. He worked for over 32 years at Caterpillar Inc. and was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria.
A funeral service will be Monday, March 16, 2020 at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. Burial will follow the service at Prospect Cemetery in Dunlap.
Memorials may be made to Grace Presbyterian Church or Southside Mission both in Peoria. Online condolences can be submitted to www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com.