Jantz, Jonathan (1924-1945)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Mar 22 p. 3

Birth date: 1924 Nov 24

text of obituary:

JONATHAN JANTZ

Our beloved son and brother, Jonathan Jantz, was born November 24, 1924, at Tampa, Kansas, where he grew to manhood.

While in the bloom of life he departed from this life somewhere in France on February 22 at the early age of 20 years, two months an 20 days.

He was the son of Alfred and Susie Redger Jantz of Tampa. Here he received his elementary schooling. He attended Durham high school for two years, where he made many friends.

Jonathan was called into U. S. service on July 27 and was sent to Camp Walter, Texas. He served in the army for almost seven months, six weeks of which were spent overseas.

He finished his training on December 9 and was granted a 12-day furlough. It was a source of great joy to all of the family to be able to spend Christmas together.

He also with greatest of joy gave his last contribution to the church by taking part in the choir with the young people of the congregation. On December 28 he left us for overseas duty.

He arrived somewhere in France and was moved a number of times until he was settled on the french and German border with the 70th division of the 7th army, where he met his early death.

Tuesday, March 6, we received the message which revealed to us that Jonathan had been relieved of all want, pain, suffering, and sorrow. He had passed to the great Beyond. "Commit thy way unto the Lord and trust in Him, and it shall come to pass."

Jonathan had the ability of making friends readily and was of cheerful disposition. He especially enjoyed the close companionship of his brother, Harold, and the interests of the home.

He leaves to mourn his untimely death the grief-stricken parents, four sisters and two brothers. They are, Verna, Mrs. Elmer Decker of Durham; Hulda, Mrs. Roland Decker of Newton; Darlene, Elvera, and Harold of the home; and Melvin of Newton. There are also two brothers-in-law, one sister-in-law, five nephews, and a host of relatives and friends. Three brothers and one sister have preceded him in death.

Memorial services were conducted on Sunday, March 11, at the Friedenstal church of Tampa, Kansas. Rev. W. H. Regier used I Thessalonians 4:13-19 as his text, while Rev. Waldo C. Wiebe based his sermon on Romans 8:1-11.