Sarah Kuntz, 29, passed away peacefully in Grand Rapids, Mich. at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 after an inspiring and courageous two-year battle with cancer.

Sarah was born Aug. 8, 1980 in Elkhart, Ind. to Jim and Suzanne Taylor, and grew up in Buchanan. She attended Buchanan Community Schools and graduated from high school with honors in 1999. She then attended Michigan State University and graduated with honors from Sienna Heights University in 2003 with a degree in language arts.

After graduation, she married the love of her life, Joshua Alan Kuntz, on May 22, 2004.  On Sept. 24, 2007 Sarah and Josh were blessed with the light of their lives, their son, Jacob Adam Kuntz.

Sarah was employed by Choice Schools Associates, originally a Benton Harbor Charter School, and most recently in 2006 by the West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science in Walker, Mich. After her initial diagnosis in February 2008, although limited physically, she was determined to return to the classroom and did return for the 2008-2009 academic year. In recognition of Sarah’s teaching skills, she was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2009 for all of Choice Schools Associates locations.

Sarah is survived by her wonderful husband, Joshua; and equally wonderful son, Jacob; her parents, Jim and Suzanne Taylor of Berrien Springs, Mich.; brother, Jeffrey Taylor; his wife, Sally; and their sons, Alexander and Maxwell, of Saint Joseph, Mich.; and brother, James Taylor; his wife, Brigid; and their son, Daniel, of Chicago; Josh’s parents, Richard and Catherine Kuntz of Buchanan; Josh’s sister, Jessica Kuntz, and fiance, Jason Goodsell of Berrien Springs; her maternal grandmother, Betty Jane Knott of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Josh’s grandparents, Richard and Joan Kuntz of Buchanan and Bernard and Margaret Doepker of Hilton Head, SC.

She will also be missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many friends and co-workers.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Ervin J. Knott,
and paternal grandmother, Cora Taylor.

The memory of the quiet and dignified courage displayed by Sarah against an overwhelming disease will always serve as an inspiration to all who knew her.

Visitation will be held Monday, Feb. 15 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Swem Funeral Home, 301 West Front St., Buchanan.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 217 South Lincoln Ave., Niles with burial in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan.  Immediately after the burial, lunch will be provided at the Bertrand Township Fire Station in Buchanan at 4770 West U.S. Highway 12.

Memorial contributions may be made to the 529 (C) Education Fund of their son, Jacob, or to the Berrien County Relay for Life, http://w3.qtm.net/bcfrelay. Donations can be made by sending contributions payable to “MESP – Jacob Kuntz” or “American Cancer Society,” c/o James (Jami) Taylor, 4243 North Ridgeway Ave., Chicago, IL.
Friends may leave an online guestbook message by visiting the memory book at www.swemfuneralhom.com.