TUCSON — Karl J. Gerschutz, CMSgt (Ret.), USAF, 56, of Tucson, Ariz., formerly of New Bavaria, died June 29, 2013, in Mt. Lemmon, Ariz., the result of a cycling accident.

He was born September 9, 1956, in Lima, to the late Virgil A. and Eulalia “Lollie” (Horstman) Gerschutz.

This family man is survived by his wife of 34 years, Teresa A. (Rutter) Gerschutz of Tucson, Ariz.; daughters, Deena A. (Lynn) Jones of St. Louis and Jill Marie (Todd) Gerschutz-Bell of Washington, D.C.; two grandchildren; and 14 brothers and sisters, Marvell (Jim) Buddelmeyer of Glandorf, Marlyn Clark of Holgate, Judy Rosengarten of Ottawa, Linda (Gary) Ellerbrock of New Cleveland, Theresa (Dr. Grover) Johnson of Vancleave, Miss., Bonnie (Dan) Inkrott of Ottawa, Donna (Larry) Amos of Toledo, Larry (Peg) Gerschutz of Miller City, Ed (Rose Ann) Gerschutz of Miller City, Cletus (Mary) Gerschutz of New Bavaria, Kathy (Jeff) Lammers of Ottawa, Raymond (Shirley) Gerschutz of Miller City, Norm (Becky) Gerschutz of Ottawa, and Elaine (Dr. Tony) Rump of Ottawa.

He was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Ken Rosengarten and Butch Clark.

He graduated from high school in 1974, and enlisted in the United States Air Force. Karl served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 2007 as a chief master sergeant, and was senior logistics specialist for Raytheon. An avid cyclist, he competed in many cycling races across the U.S. and Europe. A devout Catholic, Karl actively volunteered in his community. He is a graduate of Park University.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 6, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, New Bavaria, with Father Stephen Stanbery and Father Nick Cunningham officiating. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. on Friday at Love Funeral Home, Ottawa. Burial will be in Scared Heart Cemetery, New Bavaria.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Stand Up for Kids or Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Bavaria. Condolences can be expressed at: www.lovefuneralhome.com.