John Philip Schantz Jr.

John Philip Schantz, Jr., 87 (Phil), of Allentown PA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, surrounded by his family at home. As Phil stated, he traded time for eternity. Phil was born June 13, 1937 to the late John P. Schantz, Sr. and Louise (Lentz) Schantz. He was a devoted husband to Sandy (McKeone) Schantz for almost 65 years. After graduating from Allentown high school in 1955 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After completing Bootcamp at Parris Island, South Carolina and Camp Lejeune. He attended Sea school in Portsmouth, Virginia. After graduating near the top of his class, he became an Admiral's guard driver. During his two years of sea duty, he made two Mediterranean cruises and three Caribbean cruises. after two years of sea duty, He transferred to Camp Lejeune. As a member of the 8th Marines, he made another Mediterranean cruise. In July of 1958, he landed in Beirut, Lebanon, as a platoon sergeant in Operation Blue Bat, living in the mountains in Lebanon. After four years in the Marine Corps, he attended Rider University and played on the freshman basketball team with Digger Phelps. In the summer of 1960, he married Sandra McKeone and transferred to Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA. After college, he became a deputy sheriff in Lehigh County. In 1969, he obtained a position with the Pennsylvania liquor control board and became a liquor control board agent. He was a softball catcher for the Allentown Patriots, catching for Ty Stofflet Who won five state championships from 1963 to 1967. He played fast pitch softball until he was 65. In 1974, Phil was given the Bray Brennan Award for Being the outstanding City League athlete. In 2008, he was elected to the Lehigh Valley Softball Hall of Fame. He managed the Barristers Club in Allentown for 10 years. He also worked at the Allentown fair for 27 years, most recently as supervisor of the gates department. In 2001, Phil started a position with the Department of Defense in the Customs and Border Patrol. Phil was active in theater and the arts and appeared in numerous episodes of Forensic Files. He also made TV commercials. In one of his most popular commercials, he played a senior citizen for Sacred Heart, Assisted Living, and this was shown on TV for many years. He also appeared in several plays for the Municipal Opera Company. Phil enjoyed summers at the Jersey shore, sitting at the beach, fishing, boating, clamming, and eating crabs on the dock. In 2015, Phil retired to Largo, Florida. He then worked for the Philadelphia Phillies as an usher for spring training. In Florida, he became a member of the Marine Corps League, where he served on the honor guard, and played "Taps" for veteran's funerals. Survivors : Wife; three sons, John P. Schantz III (Rita), Todd Schantz, and Robert Schantz (Stephanie Hinkle), sister Kathy Martin, of Allentown, predeceased by sisters Linda Smith and Christine Oswald; 5 grandchildren, Patricia Young (Dane) JP (Courtney) Garret, Cyara and Robert, Jr.; 5 great grandchildren, Bodhi, Emilia, Kaylani, Henry, and Grayson; and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, June 2, 2025 at Horizon Church, 2613 South St, Allentown, PA 18104 at 11:00 AM. A calling hour will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Stephens Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.