Albert VONTZ

VONTZ Albert W., age 83, of Dayton and Cincinnati, died Sunday, April 21, 2002 in Cincinnati. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati before entering the Navy during WWII. While in the Navy, he commanded the destroyer USS Welles. After returning to Dayton, he joined his father who had started the Heidelberg Distributing Company. He helped build the business in Dayton and Cincinnati. Today Heidelberg is one of Ohio's largest beer and wine distributors, with operations in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Akron, Dayton, Toledo and Columbus. Al was widely recognized for his leadership and accomplishments in the beverage industry. He took great interest in his community and contributed both time and money to numerous non-profit and educational and health agencies. In 1999, the Vontz Center of Molecular Studies opened on the medical campus of the University of Cincinnati. The Albeit W. Vontz Professorship of Diabetes was established at the University of Cincinnati in his honor. Te Vontz Theater of Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park was named after Al's father because of Al's many efforts on behalf of the Playhouse. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Esther "Essie' (nee Lueders); a loving daughter and her husband, Carol and Vail Miller Jr. of Oregonia; loving son, Albert Vontz III and his wife, Marge of Cincinnati; four grandchildren, Vail Miller Jr. and his wife, Leslie, Brooke Miller Hice and her husband, Sean, Michael Miller and Al Vontz IV; two great-granddaughters, Grayson and Annie Miller. Friends may visit with the family at the Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Road, Kettering, OH from 4 to 8 P.M. on Friday. Private entombment will take place in Woodland Cemetery. If desired, friends may make memorial donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 10901 Reed Hartman, #202, Cincinnati, OH 45242. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guestbook at www.routsong.com.