Rev. Wayne W. Bantz

Bantz, Rev. Wayne W., 80, passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2010 after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marilynn; his son, Gregg (wife Julie); his brothers, Carl (wife Virginia) and Charles (wife Jean); his sister Doris Hunter (husband Rev. Clyde Hunter); godson, Brad Bantz (wife Janell) and their son Bradley; and many other nieces and nephews as well as other family members and close friends. He is preceded in death by his son Jeff, who passed away in 2006. Wayne was the son of Sophronia Charm Wilson and Carl H. Bantz. He was born on July 12, 1930 in Jay County, Indiana and graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1948. He attended Taylor University and graduated in 1955 with a B.A. degree in Biblical Literature. He continued with his seminary education at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, graduating in 1959 with an M.A. degree in Practical Ministries. Rev. Bantz was ordained into the Methodist Church of the Indiana Conference in 1959. He served as pastor of several churches in Indiana including Marion, Maxwell, New Castle, McCordsville and Geneva. In 1969, Rev. Bantz accepted an appointment to Coral Springs, Florida where he was asked to build a new Methodist Church. The first building there was completed in 1973. Rev. Bantz was also a great Sunday School teacher and taught the Adult Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church in Pompano Beach for 18 years. Later, he accepted a position at First Presbyterian Church in Pompano Beach where he joined the staff as Minister of Visitation. In this position he enjoyed visiting church members in their homes, hospitals and nursing homes. He also taught the Upper Room Adult Sunday School Class for 9 years. Rev. Bantz retired in 2004 and enjoyed his hobby of genealogy, traveling with his family, and visiting his many friends at John Knox Village. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 24th at 2:30 pm at Christ Church Methodist, Pompano Campus, the former First United Methodist Church of Pompano Beach, 210 NE 3rd Street in Pompano Beach. Burial will follow at a later date in the columbarium at First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers the family has invited donations in memory of Rev. Bantz be made to the Music Departments of the First Presbyterian Church in Pompano Beach or Christ Church United Methodist, Ft. Lauderdale. The Rev. Wayne W. Bantz, 80, passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2010 after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marilynn; his son, Gregg (wife Julie); his brothers, Carl (wife Virginia) and Charles (wife Jean); his sister Doris Hunter (husband Rev. Clyde Hunter); godson, Brad Bantz (wife Janell) and their son Bradley; and many other nieces and nephews as well as other family members and close friends. He is preceded in death by his son Jeff, who passed away in 2006. Wayne was the son of Sophronia Charm Wilson and Carl H. Bantz. He was born on July 12, 1930 in Jay County, Indiana and graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1948. He attended Taylor University and graduated in 1955 with a B.A. degree in Biblical Literature. He continued with his seminary education at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, graduating in 1959 with an M.A. degree in Practical Ministries. Rev. Bantz was ordained into the Methodist Church of the Indiana Conference in 1959. He served as pastor of several churches in Indiana including Marion, Maxwell, New Castle, McCordsville and Geneva. In 1969, Rev. Bantz accepted an appointment to Coral Springs, Florida where he was asked to build a new Methodist Church. The first building there was completed in 1973. Rev. Bantz was also a great Sunday School teacher and taught the Adult Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church in Pompano Beach for 18 years. Later, he accepted a position at First Presbyterian Church in Pompano Beach where he joined the staff as Minister of Visitation. He also taught the Upper Room Adult Sunday School Class for 9 years. Rev. Bantz retired in 2004 and enjoyed his hobby of genealogy, traveling with his family, and visiting his many friends at John Knox Village. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 24th at 2:30 pm at Christ Church Methodist, Pompano Campus, the former First United Methodist Church of Pompano Beach, 210 NE 3rd Street in Pompano Beach. In lieu of flowers the family has invited donations in memory of Rev. Bantz be made to the Music Departments of the First Presbyterian Church in Pompano Beach or Christ Church United Methodist, Ft. Lauderdale.