Betty Elaine Gantz

Betty Elaine Gantz, 92, of Wooster, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019 at Smithville-Western Care Center after a period of declining health.

Betty was born Nov. 13, 1926 in Akron to the late Blaine and Marie (Hosler) Koble and was a 1944 graduate of Buchtel High School. Following her graduation her family moved to Wooster where she attended Wooster Business School. She had worked at Gisinger Chevrolet, Buick & Cadillac from 1945 – 1953 and later at George Lamb Chevrolet. On June 1949 she married Russell Gantz of Creston at Zion Lutheran Church. Russell passed away on Dec. 23, 2002. Betty had been a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church where she had volunteered in the office and had been a volunteer at People to People Ministries and for the Blood Mobile. She loved playing Bridge, embroidering and was a gifted pianist having played for Eastern Star and Church programs. Betty was her children and grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader having always attended their music and sporting events and enjoyed following the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Purdue Boilermakers.

Betty and Russ were the proud parents of; Peggy (Loren) Steiner of Orrville, Susan (Dean) Matz of West Chester and Bill (Karen) Gantz and Gary (Kimberly) Gantz both of Wooster; grandchildren, Beth Wengerd of Canton, Darrell (Shanna) Steiner of Orrville, Jessica (Terry) Duthu of Savannah, GA, Jason Matz of West Chester, Amanda (Brad) Thelen of Appleton, WI, Sarah Gantz of Fairlawn, Ashley Gantz of Wooster, Joseph (Samantha) Gantz of Marysville and Gregory Gantz of Akron; great-grandchildren, Owen, Peyton, Casyn and Veronica Wengerd, Shawn and Hanna Steiner; McKenzie, Liam and Landon Gantz and Theodore Duthu.

Services will be Saturday, Feb. 2nd at 11:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Wooster with Pastor Ann Paynter officiating. Burial will follow in Wooster Cemetery. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until 11:15 at the Church on Saturday. Tributes may be shared at www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com Memorial contributions may be made to the Music Department at Wooster High School, 515 Oldman Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 in Betty’s memory.