Walter R. Schantz, of Lawrenceville, was born on December 19, 1923 in Dearborn County, the son of Adam and Mabel Wolljung Schantz. He married Viola F. Hitefield on November 22, 1945 in Cleves, Ohio, and she preceded him in death on January 7, 2003. He served in the United States Army during the WWII Era. Walter worked at C G & E Power Plant for 20 years but farming was his lifelong passion. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, enjoyed farming and traveling, and especially loved Hawaii. On Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at the age of 93, Walter passed away at St. Andrew’s Health Campus in Batesville.
Those surviving who will cherish Walter’s memory include; children, David (Marilyn) Schantz of Brookville, Linda (Larry) Gutzwiller of Sunman, and James (Mindy) Schantz of Batesville; 7 grandchildren, Cindy Schantz Hines, Dale Schantz, Jennifer Gutzwiller Pineda, Jason Gutzwiller, Joe Schantz, Tonya Schantz Wagner, James (Jamie) Schantz; 5 great-grandchildren; 4 sisters, Ruth Haring of Cincinnati, OH, Edith Fledderman of St. Mary’s, Francis Werner of Napoleon, and Julie Vonderheide of Brookville. He will be missed by many family members as well as his trusty canine pal, Lady. Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Raymond A. Schantz; granddaughter, Susan Schantz; sisters, Esther Goddard and Marie Hardebeck, and two brothers, Russell Schantz and Leo Schantz.
Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, January 29, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home, 107 Vine Street, Sunman. Rev. John Kamwendo will officiate a Mass of Christian burial at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Monday at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial donations can be directed to Margaret Mary Hospice, Alzheimer’s Association or to the Arthritis Foundation. To sign the online guestbook or to leave a personal condolence, please visit www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to care for the family of Walter Schantz.