Jantz, Wesley E. (1914-2006)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2006 Sep 25 p. 8

Birth date: 1914 May 14

text of obituary:

WESLEY E. JANTZ

Wesley E. Jantz, 92, of Hesston, Kan., died Sept. 13, 2006, at Schowalter Villa. He was born May 14, 1914, to Solomon and Katie (Wadel) Jantz at Greensburg.

On May 25, 1943, he married Phyllis Weaver at Hesston.

He was an ordained minister and served as a pastor, chaplain and health-care administrator. His professional life took him to Kansas, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota. He enjoyed singing in male quartets and singing hymns. His harmonica playing was a source of inspiration for many people.

He studied at Hesston College and at Friends Bible College, now Barclay College at Haviland.

He had a sense of humor that was interspersed with his spirituality. He was acquainted with suffering as the result of an accident in young adulthood. His pain was a vehicle to identify with others.

He was a dedicated husband, sharing life with Phyllis for 63 years. He was deeply committed to his children and grandchildren, always willing to stop and listen with a caring heart. He enjoyed attending important life events of his grandchildren. He left his family the legacy of a positive approach to life.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; four children, Melinda Gerlofs and her husband, Bob, of Bailey, Colo., David Jantz of Estes Park, Colo., Marilyn Vidakovich and her husband, Tom, of Buena Vista, Colo., and Wayne and Lynda Jantz of Scottsdale, Ariz.; three brothers, Wallace of Hesston, Dewayne and Melvin of Haviland; two sisters, Bernice Schmidt of Schowalter Villa and Doris Diller of Hesston; five grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Services were held at Hesston Mennonite Church.