Roger Gantz
3 Post Condolences
A much-loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend, Roger Gantz, 82, of Sumner, Michigan, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2024, in Midland, Michigan. He was born in Ithaca, Michigan, on May 13, 1942, and resided in Sumner for most of his adult life. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carol Holton Gantz of Sumner, son Kevin Gantz (Teressa Yordy) of Sumner, son Daren Gantz and wife Hildy of Belmont, grandson Brad Gantz and wife Sam of Rockford, grandson Ryan Gantz (Lillian Abell) of St. Louis, granddaughter Morgan Lippert and husband Jayde of South Bend, Indiana, granddaughter Kaitlyn Johnston and husband Eric of Chicago, Illinois, granddaughter Courtney Sieracki and husband Cody of Jacksonville, North Carolina, granddaughter Lauren Gantz (Spencer Andrus) of Grand Rapids, brother-in-law Stan Holton, sisters-in-law Shirley Gantz and Cathy Holton, great-grandsons Jackson, Liam, Carter, Cooper, Jude, and Theodore, great-granddaughters Cassidy, Genevieve, and Scarlet, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Neva Gantz, father-in-law Russell Holton, mother-in-law Bertha Holton, sisters Shirley Gantz Litwiller, Patricia Gantz Miller, and Joan Gantz Martin, brothers Stuart Gantz and Bill Gantz, brothers-in-law Lonnie Holton, Don Martin, Evan Litwiller, and Frank Miller, and sister-in-law Rose Smith.
Roger was a standout basketball and football player at Ithaca High School and graduated in 1960. He loved the Yellowjackets and enjoyed watching his sons play sports at Ithaca and grandchildren play sports at Ithaca and Rockford. Roger met the love of his life, Carol Holton, at a dance in Sumner while attending Ithaca. They were married in Sumner on October 4, 1963, and relocated to Sumner after spending several years residing in Hastings. Roger retired after working many years at Oldsmobile in Lansing.
Roger loved spending time with his family and friends. His wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins meant everything to him, and he thoroughly enjoyed attending all of the family gatherings that were held over the years. He especially liked playing euchre with his grandchildren and giving them advice on how to improve their skills. Roger and Carol loved classic rock and roll music and collected vintage automobiles. They developed many great friendships with other classic car collectors and enjoyed going to car shows and cruise-ins all over Michigan and several other states. Roger helped organize the annual Ithaca Dust Off Car Show for many years.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 12:00pm to 3:00pm on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at the Fred E. Richards VFW Post #3055 located at 1295 West Monroe Road, St. Louis, Michigan 48880.
The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.
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