Harold C. Gutknecht

Harold C. Gutknecht, owner and founder of Gutknecht Construction Company, passed away Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at home after a 4 ½ year courageous battle with lung cancer. He was 69 years old. Harold was surrounded by his loving wife and family. Born in Columbus, Ohio on November 7, 1940 to the late Marguerite and Harold E. Gutknecht, he graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Class of 1959. Harold founded Gutknecht Construction Company in 1974. For 33 years he built a reputation for high quality construction in public works and was held in the highest regard among his contemporaries. Gutknecht Construction Company has left its mark on Central Ohio through the construction of many schools, churches, libraries and universities. Harold was a board member of the Associated General Contractors, Inc., a veteran life member of Charity Newsies, Columbus Builders Exchange, the Swiss Club, and a board member of Dave Fox Remodeling, Inc. Harold enjoyed life, and especially when sharing it with his many friends and family. In later years he treasured snowmobiling in Michigan, wintering in Florida, working in his garden and traveling with his wife and best friend, Moreen. Harold is survived by his wife, Moreen (McCann) Gutknecht; children, Heidi (David) Allen and Eric C. (Diana) Gutknecht, of Columbus, Ohio; grandchildren: Cortney, Casey and Cory Allen; Abby, Jessica, Joshua and Garret Gutknecht; Katelyn, Ashley and Riley Grey; step-children: Cherie (Richard) Erdlitz of Johnsburg, IL; Lauren (Sam) Thomas, of Columbus, OH; Jane (Mark) Perkins, of Zionsville, IN and their children: Matthew (Angela) Erdlitz, Michael Erdlitz, Alexander, Brian and Eric Thomas; Nicholas and Daniel Perkins; and great-granddaughter Alexis Allen. He is also survived by numerous cousins. A special thanks to all current and former employees of Gutknecht Construction Company-a 100% employee-owned company-for all the years of loyal service to the company. It made for a most rewarding and enjoyable relationship. Family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8pm. SUNDAY at the RUTHERFORD FUNERAL HOME AT POWELL, 450 West Olentangy St., Powell, OH 43065 (614)-792-1471. (The funeral home is located on W. Olentangy St./Powell Rd./SR 750 ¼ mile east of Sawmill Parkway.) Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00am. MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2010 at ST. MARY CHURCH, 684 South Third Street, Columbus, OH 43206-1094 with The Rev. Michael Watson, Celebrant. Burial will follow at Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Hilliard, Ohio. If they choose, friends may make memorial contributions to: Charity Newsies, 4300 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214, in Harold’s memory. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com.