John Henry Gantz

GANTZ John Henry Gantz, age 87, passed away at home on Friday, November 6, 2009. He was born in Columbus on March 6, 1922, to the late John and Stella Gantz, and was a lifelong resident of the Grove City area. While still attending Grove City High School, John began working on the family dairy farm, which he continued until 1960. He then focused his farming on crops while still raising livestock. John and his wife, Viola, were longtime members of the Farm Bureau and enjoyed attending Ohio and national conventions trying to recruit new members. John also served as Pleasant Twp. Trustee where he helped start the Pleasant Twp. Fire Department. He was a member of the Ohio Milk Association, as well as the Southwest Historical Society, and he enjoyed collecting antiques, especially antique farming tools. He and Viola loved to travel together and took many trips with the Senior Center. John liked to watch sports, especially the Buckeyes and the Reds. He also enjoyed spending time with his sons, John and Jerry, and he spent valuable time with them working with livestock, helping them with 4H projects, and taking family trips with them. John was very generous, and he loved to give to others and make people laugh. John was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years Viola Mae Gantz. He is survived by his children, John (Ana) Gantz, and Jerry (Carla) Gantz; grandchildren, Kelly, Kristin, Josh, Jordan, Evan, Erin and Cameron; sister, Jane Ehmann; and many other family members and friends, especially the Brungarth family who continues the farm today. Family will receive friends from 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. on Sunday at SCHOEDINGER NORRIS CHAPEL, 3920 Broadway, Grove City. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 9, 2009, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3220 Columbus St., Grove City. Interment will follow at Grove City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in John's name can be made to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Visit www.schoedinger.com to leave a favorite memory of John.