Noel would always greet you with a warm smile and big bear hug! He was such a gentle man. We miss you❤

I had the privilege of working with Noel off and on for ten years or so, but much more closely when he came to Lansing. I was one of his supply chain support people from HQ and worked with him on many issues and projects, including the Grand River launch. He would sometimes call me the metal whisperer, which only someone in stamping would understand, but believe me, it was high praise. I wasn't fooled, however because I learned as much from him as he did from me. I was always impressed with his ability to manage all the work and keep everything prioritized, especially once both plants were in production. He treated people with respect, but there was always a bit of humor. I felt like part of his team. 
I struggled with my own job before I retired, but he always seemed to have time to listen. He made me feel my work was important, to the plants in general and Lansing specifically. He also told my bosses as much. I will always be grateful for that. 

My mother was ill for a long time and he was sensitive to that also. She passed away in May and Noel was there at the funeral home to support me as always. He stayed for what seemed like a long time and listened to me babble about my memories.  I won't ever forget it.

He was my friend and I will miss him always. 

I don't have adequate words to convey my sorrow or sympathy.  I am praying for you all and will continue. God bless you all and God bless Noel.

Mary Gearhart 
GM retired 


I met Noel in '93 when I became friends with Nicole. He was always goofing around and making everyone laugh, especially with some of his crazy Halloween costumes! We had some really great times. You will be missed Noel. ♥️

Noel  was our department manager since he moved back to Michigan from the Ohio plant. 
 I enjoyed having him as our Lansing stamping materials manager.  Many mornings we would buy breakfast from the food truck and enjoyed talking together while we ate and planned our day.  At the time I didn’t realize how much I would miss his sarcastic humor and quick wit. 
Occasionally, you meet someone in life that you will never forget.  Noel is one such person for this ole boy.  Rest In Peace my friend.  
Gail Bailey-Lansing Grand River Stamping

Noel, a few more of my buddy's, and I were getting ready for Heather and my Wedding. I was having trouble with my tuxedo, I couldn't get my shirt tucked in right, Me frustrated, Noel said use the holes in your front pockets to adjust your shirt. I was like holes in my  pockets? Sure enough they were there! Worked like a charm! Noel had a great charisma about him, he had a great humorous charm that only Noel could pour out. Very likeable guy, enjoyed a lot of good times with Nicole and Noel. Noel, you will be sadly missed...  Five to the sky.....

To Noel's family & friends, you will be in my prayers as you celebrate his life and legacy! I worked with Noel at GM in Lansing when he first moved back from Ohio.  He was well-respected and a great employee - just as I am sure he was a great friend and family member!   I have since moved to Missouri and will not be able to attend the memorial celebration.  
Romans 8:38-39 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Charles Geller


The memory that I would like to share was of the first time I met Noel.  April and I were dating and met up with Nicole and Noel for drinks at Paunchy Pete's.  I thought Noel was quiet and reserved.  Couldnt have been more wrong.  Noel and I were sitting next to each other and April and Nicole were sitting talking.  Without warning, Noel decided to shove a quarter up his nose.  I started laughing and then he pulled out a  handful of change.  As we continued talking, he put about $1.50 up his nose.  As I laughed harder, April n Nicole looked at me like I had lost my mind.  Noel started talking to the ladies and kept the quarters in his nose.  Through the 2 or 3 minute conversation, the ladies never noticed.  After they were done talking, he blew the quarters out his nose onto the table and left them there for part of the tip.  Even when the waitress grabbed the money, all he did was smile and keep walking.  I will miss u deeply my friend.  

I knew Noel for 23 years. Great friend. Love you. Will miss you. We were different in many ways but also had a lot in common.

I have known Nicole and Noel over 26 years, Nicole and I worked together at Holland American Wafer in 1993 and Nicole  and Noel were always a couple ever since I knew them. One of the kindest things they did for me was back in 2014, I had just lost my son in a car accident, shortly after they both came all the way to Cadillac to meet me for lunch, that was such a heartfelt gesture that I will never forget. My condolences to Nicole and families.

Noel was truly one of a kind. I know when someone passes away they always say that, but I have never met anyone like him and doubt I ever will. He was the kind of person that lit up the room as soon as he entered. His kind and caring spirit are like none other, and he was full of knowledge and wisdom. 
I have asked people if they have ever had a boss that can make you feel at ease when they are around and not stressed out, and they look at me crazy. That was Noel. 
He will be truly missed and the memories will be cherished. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time. 

         In 1991, I worked at Kmart with my cousin Nicole. I had tried for a week to explain that this really cute guy was working the remodel, she didn’t believe me. Well.. Noel bought gum and the rest is history. 
        It was destined for them to meet one way or another because before  we knew Noel, Nicole and I were coming back from lunch and I was pulling into a parking spot and hit a blue truck.. Noel’s truck.  Being kids we drove and parked in another spot. Story short about ten years or so ago I confessed. Noel looked at me and smiled that smile and said he had known all along. He laughed as I looked at him so confused as to how he figured it out. That was Noel.. I carried the guilt around and he just put his arm around me laughing. I will miss his kind heart, mischievous sense of humor, his contagious laugh, and his wisdom... and if you look really close at the picture you can see that stupid dent!

When I had a open house, Noel saw the kids making bike ramps and felt he should show the kids how it's done. He peddled the bike up to speed, hit the ramp, and flipped over the handlebars and landed on the ground with a split lip.  
He wanted to be silly, like a kid, I think he realized after that, his body wasn't young like a kid anymore. However, we all had a good laugh.
 
I had a chance to see Marilyn Manson with Noel. To my surprise, he had dressed up like a Goth rockstar, and sang along to almost every song they played. He looked so Happy and in his Element. 
Rest Easy my Friend.

I went to grade and high school with Noel and remember him to be fun-loving, always smiling, and wicked smart. I’m terribly sorry for your loss and will be praying for you all. 

First and foremost I, and many others I’ve spoken to, are deeply saddened for the loss of Noel.  His extended family at General Motors are in utter disbelief and shocked that this has occurred.

I’m here today to write what those who knew Noel already experienced by knowing him.  He was an amazing person, a phenomenal co-worker, and most importantly...a friend.  

There are people in this life that you cross paths with whom make a tremendous impact on your life personally and professionally.  

Noel was that person to me as a friend and our team at General Motors Lordstown.  

Always there when you needed him to help.  Was honest and sincere.  

A memory I have to share of Noel and another co-worker sharing an office having what seemed to be a loud and heated dispute.  The co-worker was complaining and Noel in summary essentially was telling him “stop your complaining...you being such a big baby”.

The next morning I walked in the office and asked jokingly if I was going to have to referee or separate them and they both busted out laughing and stated they planned that dispute to play a joke on the office.

Subsequently many others who did not hear my conversation came to their office asking if they were okay.  The overheard reaction was the same they busted out laughing.

That was Noel...always working to bring balance and levity to our workdays.

He touched our lives in Lordstown and many many others at GM.  Will be sadly missed by all who knew him and had the honor of working with him.

My deepest condolences to his wife and entire family...

Mike Trebella, Co-Worker & Friend - GM Lordstown

I grieve for you and with you in this loss of such a great guy.   I met Noel in Jan 2017 when I was hired into LGS.  He made all of us feel welcome into this team.   When Noel came to work in the mornings he would stop at all our desks and say "Hi, How are you today?" or if he was working across town I would get a Skype just saying "Hi" and then he would ask if I could do him a favor and go out and count a part or ask the guys if they wanted to work over.  Noel always had our backs when it came to our jobs..   He amazed me with how he could look at a section of racks with parts and 5 seconds later tell me how many pieces there were and I was still counting how many racks.  He would often bring in donuts for the crew & I am pretty sure with his love for hot sauce he probably put some on his donuts without us seeing...   His smile, personality & his laugh will surely be missed.  I am so glad that I had the chance to get to know him.  

Well where do I start. We met when I worked at Kmart and he was hired to remodel the store. My cousin said that there was a good looking man working the remodel. I said where. At that moment he bought a pack of gum. I then asked him for his number. The rest is history as they say. The Love of my life. My soulmate. Always and Forever. I Love you Noel Xavier Kurtz 

I was sad to hear of the loss of Noel.  I had wondered what had happened to him after he graduated high school with us.  Noel always had a dry sense of humor and seemed to observe everything.  I remember sitting with him in classes-neither of us paying attention-and he always seemed know everything without studying!  He was so intelligent and said what he thought. I respected that.   I'm happy that he married a beautiful lady and was successful.  To his family; I pray that you will find peace and continue your love to him with remembering special memories in your difficult time.  Love to you, Noel.  

I got to  know Noel over the course of about a year here at general motors as he was my immediate supervisor. In my eight years working here never have I met someone so dedicated and hard working as he was.  He was a great mentor and was kind hearted. We ate breakfast together often as we shared a love of the food truck that would stop by our office and would talk about life. I could tell he loved his family by the passion in his voice when he talked about cooking on the holidays and trips to his cabin and time spent with his loved ones. He will be missed deeply by our team here at GM. 

Noel worked for me at Grand Rapids.  He was fun from the first day I met him.  Sarcastic, funny, always had a glass of water to dip his fingers in.  One year for his a Birthday we all dressed like him, blue shirt and Khaki pants.  He did not catch on at first but after he saw a few of us-he got it!  We took a group picture that day all of us smiling.  We have stayed in contact over the years and I consider him a very loyal friend that I could always have honest conversations with.  We shared a love of cats and a common goal of watching out for each other.  To Nicole and family I express my sympathies and I feel your loss with you.  To Noel I hope you are in the best place ever and Happy!

Sorry to hear of Noel’s passing. Noel was my boss for going on 3 years, and was  one of the best I’ve had in my 30+ years at GM.
It’s a huge loss for our department and the company.  We will miss his wit , and his vast knowledge of the business. 

Noel was one of the best bosses I have ever had at General Motors. He also had a smile on his face and joked around with all of us on the docks.  We will miss him so much and his sense of humor. 

First, I wanted to say how sorry and saddened I am to hear of Noel's passing. I have a few memories I wanted to share. Besides Noel's contagious laugh and smile (and kindness towards me), I remember us roller skating together and dancing the scene of You're the One That I Want from Grease. We were giggling so hard...just dumb fun and being kids. He was a brilliant guy! I always respected his intelligence and wit. I'm praying for his family and closest friends. Love, Jen (Doran)

Christmas 2018: 

We stopped doing gifts for adults a couple years back, but while grocery shopping I happened to come across a shirt that stopped me in my tracks. A Star Wars shirt, featuring Darth Vader (with a Santa hat on) that said “I’m not Jolly”. Now, if you knew Noel, you understand my excitement upon seeing the most perfect shirt for my uncle! After some annoying encouragement from his nieces, Noel put the shirt on for a photo (along with an ugly sweater for grandma) and gave us a good laugh and great memory. Got a genuine laugh and smile out of him too, so it was well worth it! I will cherish this memory forever. 

OBITUARY

Noel Xavier Kurtz

June 28, 1970 – July 9, 2019

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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