Stanley Dean Lantz

Stanley Dean Lantz, 75, of Caney, died December 10, 2024, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Stan was born June 16, 1949, in Independence to Earl Marion and Dorothy Jane (Wilcox) Lantz. He grew up in Independence and attended schools there and later graduated from Labette County Highschool. He enlisted in the United States Army twice, serving between 1967 and 1988, retiring as a First Sergeant. He was stationed in Germany; Korea; Fort Lewis, Washington; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Fort Bliss, Texas. He earned decorations for pistol and rifle; the National Defense Service Medal; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; the Army Service Ribbon; the Meritorious Service Medal; the Overseas Service Ribbon (Third Award); the Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster); the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Fourth Award); and the Good Conduct Medal (Sixth Award).

Following the Army, Stan attended El Paso Community College and earned an associate degree in electronics technology. He pursued a career in information technology, working across the country in such as the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., Fort Leavenworth, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He eventually came back home to southeast Kansas where he worked for Independence Community College, Coffeyville Resources, and the Parsons State Hospital, where he was employed at the time of his death.

Stan enjoyed his many gadgets, from his 3-D printer to his brewing equipment; traveling; being a cat dad; working in his shop, yard, and office; and genealogy. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1186 Dewlen-Dix Post.

On December 26, 2005, in Independence, he married Flossie Pearl (Cowart) Neeley, and she survives at the home.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Dennis Wayne Lantz. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Melissa Ann Kidwell and husband Jamie, and Elizabeth Jane “Liz” Switzer and husband Lon; one stepdaughter, Sonja Lynn Conley and partner Vince Hall; one brother, John Michael “Mike” Lantz; two sisters, Erla Jane Allen and husband Glenn, and Debra L. “Debbie” Lantz; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and other family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 10 A.M. at Potts Chapel in Independence, officiated by Randy Gilbreath. Inurnment will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont. Military honors will be conducted by the Independence VFW, American Legion, and the Fort Riley Funeral Honors Detail. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Animals With Our Love (A.W.O.L.) and may be left at the funeral home.