John Edwin Kiburz

John (Jack) E. Kiburz, 92, passed away at his home on the island of Bokeelia, FL on Thursday November 18, 2010. He was born in a sod house on a homestead near Roundup, Montana on September 12, 1918 to Bert and Franc (Schoonover) Kiburz. The family moved back to Iowa in 1923 and Jack graduated from Monticello High School in 1936.

Jack enlisted in the United States Army in 1941 and entered the US Army Air corps. He was commissioned December 13, 1942 and flew P-39 and P-47 in North Africa and Southern Europe during World War II. He flew over 172 combat missions, received the Air Medal with 3 clusters and the European theater ribbon with four battle stars. When he returned to the States, he served as an instructor at West Point in Advanced Flying School and continued his service in the US Air Force Reserve.

After active duty, Jack attended the University of Illinois where he met his wife, Helen (Spanny) Spanabel. They were married on June 11, 1947. They were blessed with four daughters, Kathy (Terry) Kiburz of Bokeelia, FL, Karen (Pete Papley) Kiburz of Cape Coral, FL, Kim (Bob Strait) Kiburz of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Karol (Paul) Rieger of Cape Coral, FL. Jack has four grandchildren: Charles May, Karrie Millheim, Samuel and Joseph Rieger and many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Jack and Spanny had businesses in Champaign, Illinois and retired to Florida in 1969. Jack continued to fly his personal plane, loved to fish, play golf, and of course, Monday night and Thursday night poker with his many buddies. Oh yes, gin rummy at any time, up until cocktail hour with his Manhattan, just to start all over the next day with coffee with friends to solve the world’s problems.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Spanny, parents, older brother, Avert Kiburz of Scotch Grove, Iowa, twin sister Carolyn Besser of Novato California, Alice Buol, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Rosalyn Morley, Scottsdale, Arizona and an infant sister, Ann, of Roundup Montana. He will be deeply missed by his loving family and dear friends.

Funeral Service will be conducted Tuesday November 23, 2010, 12:00(Noon) at Coral Ridge Funeral Home, 1630 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral, with visitation from 11:00AM-12:00. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, 10051 McGregor Blvd., Suite 101, Fort Myers, FL 33919