Lawrence Ezra Jantzi

PANAMA, NY — Lawrence Ezra Jantzi, 82, of Panama, and formerly of Lowville, NY, passed

away peacefully at his home on Friday, December 12, 2025. He was born on July 21, 1943, in

Lowville, NY, the son of the late Mahlon and Ruth (Ressler) Jantzi.

     Larry was a 1961 graduate of Lowville Academy and Central School. Following graduation, he owned and operated his own dairy farm. He later worked as a milk tester for Dairy One in

Ithaca, NY, for 32 years, and subsequently for Lancaster Dairy in Lancaster, PA, for several

years until his retirement in 2024.

     An avid New York Yankees fan, Larry attended several games at Yankee Stadium over the

years. He also enjoyed attending local high school sporting events at Panama Central School

and was a regular contributor to the Sports Boosters Club, often donating his homemade

cookies for fundraisers. Students knew him as “Mr. Mom.” He loved to tell jokes and always had

an entertaining story to tell. He enjoyed reading the Buffalo News daily, with a cup of coffee and

chatting with his friends at the local Burger King.

     Above all else, Larry cherished time spent with his family. He was frequently found celebrating birthdays and weddings or cheering on his grandchildren in 4-H at the Chautauqua County Fair every year, where he also greatly enjoyed visiting and catching up with area farmers and their families. He also made it a point to consistently check in with his grandchildren, always asking about their week at school and when their next game was.

     Larry is survived by his four children: Larry “Brian” (Mary) Jantzi of Clymer, NY; Angelia “Angie” (Tom) Murphy of North Lawrence, OH; Melissa Jantzi of Tempe, AZ; and Jordan (Ashley) Jantzi of Sherman, NY; one son-in-law, Donald Birchenough; ten grandchildren, Matthew (Amy) Birchenough, Joseph (Kendal) Birchenough, Emily Birchenough, Abigail (Tyler) Birchenough, Dayne Jantzi, Sarah (Zach) Brogden, Erin Murphy, Molly Murphy, Evelyn Jantzi, and Jameson Jantzi; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lyle (Shirley) Jantzi of Adams, NY, and Wilbur Jantzi of Croghan, NY; and several nieces and nephews.

     In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by his daughter, Tammi Birchenough; his brother, Maynard Jantzi; and two sisters, Freida Roggie and Grace Haldeman.

     The family will receive friends during calling hours from noon to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday,

December 20, 2025, at the Abbe Reformed Church, 595 Clymer-Sherman Road, Clymer, NY. A

private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family in the Croghan Mennonite

Cemetery, Croghan, NY.

     Memorial donations may be made to the Panama Fire Department and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 57, Panama, NY 14767.

     To leave a remembrance or offer condolences to the family, please visit                                                                                                                      freayfuneralhome.com