Eugene Renz

It is with immense sadness and great joy that we announce the passing of Eugene Renz on April 21, 2025. Immense sadness because he will be sorely missed by those who love him and great joy because he enjoyed a long, successful, honorable life, and is now free of a body and mind that was diminishing.
Gene was born to Ferdinand and Julia Laeger Renz in Sioux Falls, SD in 1930, joining his big brother Don. He spent his childhood in Boise, ID, where his father was church pastor. After Ferdie became an army chaplain during WWII, the family moved often, and Gene finished high school in Butler. He went on to graduate from Grove City College, class of '52, where he majored in business and met Janet Gill, his wife of 70 years.
First Lieutenant Renz trained an artillery company during his army service at Fort Jackson, SC. He was about to accept a promotion and apply for paratrooper training when the armistice ended the Korean War, leaving him free to rush back to the Shenango Valley to marry Janet in 1954.
Gene learned the art of kitchen and bath design and eventually founded two businesses, The Kitchen Center on East State St. and Kitchen and Bath World in Canfield, OH, with his partner and good friend, Jim Sheasley.
He worked hard, but also filled his days with close friends and fun, playing handball at the Buhl Club, playing gin at Kilgore's Service Station, snow and water skiing, traveling, flying and building an airplane, finally jumping out of one (and breaking his ankle). He and Janet retired to Florida for the winters, where he golfed, walked the dogs, and watched the sun set ("The Show") over the first green.
He enriched the lives of his three children with love, security, fun, and laughter. Sadly, he was preceded in death by his first born, Thomas J. Renz, and his brother, Donald J. Renz. He is survived by his wife, Janet, his only granddaughter, Mackenzie Renz, and his daughters, Kathryn Renz and Christine Renz, who came home to care for him in his last years.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County, 109 S. Sharpsville Ave., Sharon, PA 16146; or The Buhl Club, 28 Pine St., Sharon, PA 16146.
A time of sharing will be held at one o'clock on Monday, April 28th, at J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 East State St., Sharon. The family would love to hear your stories about Gene.
To view the memorial slideshow please click the link: Eugene Renz Memorial Slide Show
He will be privately interred at Morefield Cemetery.