Raymond Kutzman Obituary News; Death – Cause of Death: According to an online obituary on Friday, April 7, 2023, Raymond Kutzman has passed away unexpectedly. However, his cause of death was not disclosed.
Words fall short of expressing our grief for your loss, as we mourn with family and friends for this great loss. Please accept our condolences and may our prayers help comfort you. Please receive our heartfelt condolences.
SOCIAL MEDIA TRIBUTE
It is with extreme sadness and heavy hearts that we have to share the news that former Village of Colona Police Chief Raymond “Ray” Kutzman passed away this morning.
This is especially hard for a few of us like myself (Laura) as Ray hired me in 1994 to be The Police Secretary and for Chief Swemline who Ray hired in 1995 to serve as an auxillary Officer for Colona. We have served a large portion of our careers with Ray.
However many Officers to follow worked along Officer Kutzman as well and will have fond memories to share in the coming days.
“Ray” “Kooter” Kutzman became the Police Chief of the Village of Colona following the passing of Police Chief Bill Leftwich in 1985.
He later became Administrative Sgt for the new City of Colona following the historical merger in 1997.
Ray retired from The Colona Police Department in July 2010.
He was a cop from an era where liability was a word that was hardly spoken and that allowed him to solve a domestic issue over a cup of coffee at a kitchen table, or drive someone home that may have had too much to drink.
Ray was the guy that may have been to your house to handle a call and overheard that you needed some tomato cages for your garden and would later drop them off in your yard.
One of Rays funniest calls may have been where he was one of a few officers dispatched to a juvenile that blockaded himself in a bathroom and wouldn’t come out.. Officers used every measure they could but the youth wouldn’t budge.
Ray walked up to the door and said “hey bub do ya like skittles?How about Root Beer?”
The young man answered with a whispery “yeah”..
Ray slid a 10 bill under the door and said go to the gas station and get some.
The door unlatched and the young man proceeded to get his treats.
We all laughed when Ray asked the young man for his change and he told him that he had bought candy for all his friends too.
Ray never met a stranger and never failed to help anyone with anything they needed.
One of Rays passions was his “community garden” where he spent endless time and energy tending to only to tell “just a few” people to help themselves when in reality he told “everyone” to help themselves.
Rays most treasured aspect of being a Police Officer was his connection to the community and his need to help everyone he could.
It is safe to say Rays best time in life was being a Police Officer, a Dad, and a friend.
Ray had a giggle and a sense of humor that was contagious. He came from a musical family but admitted he was the least talented one.
Ray would always sing a song in the PD…
“ I know a little song it ain’t very long.. doo doo doo doo doo doo now its all gone”
Ray, Kooter , Chief , Sgt Kutzman you are honored today and for all the days to come we will remember you for all that you were and for what you meant to so many in the Colona Community.
Rest in peace brother we miss you already.♥️💙
Feel free to drop condolences messages and prayers for the family and friends of the deceased as it will go a very long way at this difficult time of theirs.
