Dwaine Francis Amstutz 1922-2011
Dewane Francis Amstutz, 88, died Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at his home in Grangeville, Idaho.
Dwaine and his twin brother Wayne were born in Bluffton, Ohio, to Benjamin and Naomi Amstutz on Aug. 30, 1922. When he was 4 years old his mother died and in 1931 his father was remarried to Elma Diller.
He grew up on the family farm in Putnam County, and graduated from Pandora High School in 1941. In 1943, he and Wayne joined the Army Air Corp during WWII, becoming fighter pilots. He retired from the Federal Aviation Agency where he worked as an Air Traffic Control Specialist for 34 years.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth. They were married June 7, 1947. The couple has 7 children, 18 grandchildren, and 30 great grandchildren.
He and Ruth spent most of their lives in Bluffton, but have lived in Grangeville, Idaho, for the past 10 years, where they moved to be closer to some of their children and grandchildren.
Dwaine is survived by his wife and his children and their spouses: Diane (Dick) Badertscher of Grangeville, Ken (Doris) Amstutz of Mission Viejo, Calif., Sue (Steve) Yant of Six Mile, S.C., Greg (Pattie) Amstutz of Ensenada, Mexico, Sharon (Carl) Sommer of Conrad, Mont., Sandy (Rod) Kantner of Grangeville, and Beverly (Kevin) Hahn of Grangeville., along with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is also survived by his twin brother Wayne (Louise) Amstutz of Bluffton, and brother Maynard (Mary) Amstutz of Nashville, Tenn.
He was preceded in death by his mother Naomi, father Benjamin, step mother Elma, sister Kathleen Kindle, and step brother Harold Diller.
Funeral services are Saturday, April 23 at 11 a.m. at the Grangeville, Idaho, Church of the Nazarene, 515 W. North 2nd St.
A memorial service and interment will also be held at Ebenezer Mennonite Church, Bluffton, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, family asks that memorial contributions be made to: GIOF (Genesis International Orphanage Foundation), which was founded by his sons, Greg and Ken Amstutz, at P.O. Box 6458, Chula Vista, CA. 91909. Send condolences to the family to: Blackmerfuneralhome.com
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 24
- Are you a friend of the Bluffton Public Library?
- Weekend Doctor: What you need to know about flu season
- Courtney Linke joins CNB as VP Business Banking Officer
- Blanchard Valley Health System Announces Updates to Board of Trustees
- Blanchard Valley Health Foundation Announces Changes to Board of Directors
Friday, October 23, 2026
- Village of Bluffton announces late afternoon drill at Bluffton Schools, October 23
- October 23 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Pirate volleyball eliminated in sectionals by Archbold
- Pirate boys soccer knocked off by Bath
- Main St. closure rescheduled; parapet work to take place Oct. 27
- Bluffton student to reflect on diabetes research experience
- Bluffton University receives $8,000 Stinner Summit award for youth agricultural and environmental education
- Elections matter, including midterms
Thursday, October 22, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 22
- ICAPP study: Ohioans strongly oppose data center expansion and tax breaks
- Pirate girls soccer ousts rival Allen East in sectionals
- Strawberry Fields Forever: Fruit polyphenols and brain health
- Last call for Bluffton Cars & Coffee for 2026
- Icon calendar gets a little more elbow room
- Bluffton Board of Education recap: Contracts for coaches and new bus driver
- Bluffton Lions Club update for October 2026
- Bluffton chamber photo competition display and reception announced
- Bluejays and buzzards catch the eye of this Accounting prof
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 21
- Village of Beaverdam requests suggestions for park grant application
- Charles “Chuck” Wendall Collins, 63, owned Eagle Press Repairs
- Dwain L. Leiber, 87, owned Leiber Garage
- Kimberly Dawn Murphy, 55, taught at Findlay City Schools
- Kaleidoscope Farms honoring veterans, thanking current troops, Nov. 8
- Filmmaker to preview documentary exploring life beyond incarceration
- ONU mobile health clinic at Senior Center on Oct. 28
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Columbus Grove-Bluffton Rd. closure planned for up to three weeks
- Two Pirate volleyball players make 1st team All-NWC
- 3 Pirate girls 1st team All-NWC soccer
- Pirates dominate All-NWC boys soccer awards
- Local filmmaker focuses on memories made by people and places
- Bluffton Public Library: Medicare 101
- BHS artists prepare Yankee Doodle Christmas Trees for Jingle Bell Stroll