Thomas J. LANTZ, age 53, was surrounded by his family at home when his courageous three year battle with cancer ended. On October 28, 2007 he went home to be with the Lord.
He was born on May 2, 1954 to Royal and Helen (Gusew) Lantz in
Smithville, Ohio where he grew up and spent most of his life. Tom was a 1972 graduate of Smithville High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Muskingum College. He continued his education at Ashland University where he earned his education degree and obtained a Master’s degree from Marygrove College.
Tom invested his life in people. He married his college sweetheart Carol (Jameson) Lantz on December 18, 1976. They shared a uniquely beautiful relationship for over thirty years. Their children, Jason, his wife Suzi, Sarah and Rachel brought him so much joy. He was an intentional husband and father who loved and supported them well throughout their lives. As an educator and coach at Smithville High School and Greene Middle School, he impacted the lives of many young people. He loved his students and the faculty he taught with. He was a mason with Fetter and Son of Smithville every summer from the time he was in high school. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he was a youth leader for many years and joyfully played his guitar in the New Life band. While he was blessed with many wonderful friendships throughout his life, his relationship with Jesus Christ was most cherished and motivated the love he had for everyone he met. To know Tom was to be his friend. He always saw and believed the best in people with a generous heart that loved to serve those in need.
A perfect day was spent with his family and friends golfing or fishing at Lakeside. He truly knew how to enjoy the simple things in life like arrowhead hunting, a good conversation, a game of cards or playing with his grandchildren, Caris and Joshua.
Besides his wife, Carol, and his children and grandchildren, Tom is survived by his mother, Helen Lantz of Smithville; brother, Royal and
sister-in-law Wendy Lantz of DeBary, Florida; brother Richard and
sister-in-law Linda Lantz of Southlake, Texas, mother and father-in-law Don and Mitzie Jameson of Perryburg and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Royal Lantz Sr.
At Tom’s request, in lieu of flowers, please consider blood and platelet donation with the Red Cross. To find out how you can contribute to the Red Cross or to learn where you can donate go to www.redcross.org/donate
Monetary contributions can also be made to St. Paul Lutheran Youth
Fund, PO Box 228, Smithville, OH 44677, telephone 330 669-2111 or to Compassion International, Colorado Springs, CO 80997 www.compassion.com or to Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 874, Wooster, OH 44691.
Arrangements are by the McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster, OH.

Memorial Contributions
St. Paul Lutheran Youth Fund or Blood or Platelet donation

Service
Friday Nov. 2, 2007 10:30 A.M. at St. Paul Lutheran Church

Visitation
Thursday Nov. 1 from 5-9 P.M. at St. Paul Lutheran Church