Frederick J. Frantz

Frederick J. Frantz
Frederick J. Frantz, 89 years, of Schnecksville, died Monday, April 16, 2007 in Fellowship Manor, Whitehall. He was the husband of Ruth L. (Mushlitz) Frantz of Easton and the late Wrela D. (Moyer) Frantz. Born in North Whitehall Township (in the home he lived throughout his lifetime) on January 13, 1918, Frederick was the son of the late Jay C. and Carrie (Peter) Frantz. He graduated from high school at the age of 15 and graduated from Kutztown State Teachers College in 1937 and began teaching elementary school at the age of 19. At the age of 25, he became an elementary school principal in Bucks County. He faithfully and honorably served his country in the Army during World War II as a first lieutenant. He was then employed as an inspector for Bethlehem Steel Corp. for 31 years before retiring. Frederick was very active in the life of his church, Union United Church of Christ, Neffs, where he served on the consistory, was past president of the Union Church Board of Governors and served on many committees. He taught adult Sunday school classes throughout northern Lehigh County and was the head Sunday school teacher at Union Sunday School for 30 years. A master of ceremonies at many functions in Lehigh County, Frederick spoke at many Masonic Lodge banquets, senior citizen meetings and dinners, and was a Pennsylvania German dialect speaker at many Grundsau Lodge meetings and versomlings. He was a past president of the Men of Muhlenberg Hospital and also volunteered at the hospital. He was president of the Keen Agers Senior Citizens Group, Laurys Station. He was a member of Jordan Lodge 192, I.O.O.F. Frederick had many Masonic affiliations and achievements which included past Master of Chapman Masonic Lodge 637, Catasauqua; past Most Excellent High Priest of Siegfried Royal Arch Chapter 295; past Thrice Illustrious Master of Allen Council 23, Council of Royal and Select Masons of Pennsylvania; past Eminent Commander of Hugh de Payens Commandery 19, Knights Templar of Pennsylvania; Knight of Penn Priory 6, Mechanicsburg and a recipient of the coveted York Cross of Honour; life member of the Lehigh Valley Joshua Association; life member of the Council of Anointed Kings of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Life member of the Past Commanders and Line Officers Association of the Lehigh Valley; past Sovereign Master of General John J. Sullivan Council 84, Allied Masonic Degrees of Wilkes-Barre; a 32nd Degree Mason of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Allentown; member of the Rajah Temple A.A.O. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Reading; member of the Northeast Council 74, Knights Mason of the USA; member of the William Allen York Rite College 176, Stroudsburg and Knight Companion of Mary Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Allentown. Survivors: Wife; sons, Jay F. Frantz of Cary, North Carolina, Ronald P. Frantz and his wife, Patricia and Larry C. Frantz, both of Schnecksville; daughters, Nancy A. Dietz and her husband, Dennis, of Chandler, Arizona and Carol L. James and her husband, Clifford, of Schnecksville; brother, Curtis J. Frantz and his wife, Elaine, of Whitehall; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased in death by a son, Robert J. Frantz, and a brother, Edward J. Frantz. Services: Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 20, 2007 in Union United Church of Christ, 5550 Route 873, Neffs, with the Rev. Thomas N. Thomas and the Rev. Kris P. Snyder-Samuelson officiating. Family and friends may call 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home and 10-11 a.m. Friday in the church. Masonic service will be 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Interment, with military honors, will follow the funeral service in Union Church Cemetery, Neffs. Online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at: www.heintzelmanfh.com. Contributions: Memorial contributions may be made to the Union U.C.C. Funds of Lasting Gifts, c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.