Obituary of Mervin B. Shantz
Shantz, Mervin B.
After a long and rich life, Merv died peacefully, after a brief stay at Grand River Hospital, on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at the age of 91, surrounded by his loving family. Beloved and caring husband of Grace (Stevanus) Shantz for 68 years, and cherished father of nine children: Murray (Colleen), Larry (Marilyn), Connie (David), Susan (Tony), Wendy (Cliff), Robert (Nancy), Karen (Christopher), Brenda (Mike) and Jeffrey (Julie). Adored grandfather of 20 wonderful grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Loving brother of Eugene Shantz (Sally) and Muriel Hayes; and brother-in-law of Mary Schiedel, Christine Shantz, Lorna Shantz, Clifford Snider (Vivian), Doris Stevanus, and Richard Stevanus. Merv will also be fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Ivan B. and Irene B. (Bauman) Shantz; his sisters Vietta Shantz and Gladys Brubacher; his brothers Floyd and Wilfred Shantz; his brothers-in-law Abner Brubacher, John Hayes, George Schiedel, Myron and Paul Stevanus; and his sisters-in-law Mary Schiedel, Ethel Snider and Diane Stevanus. Merv was born on October 4, 1925, in Waterloo County. On April 20, 1949, he married the love of his life, Grace. A team from the start, they spent their early life together on a farm near Alma. With seven children in tow, they moved to West Montrose, where the family grew to nine. Merv was a family man – foremost – and a wonderful provider. Always flexible, he was successful at many jobs over the years, with the majority of his career spent as a financial advisor, retiring at age 78. At Merv's request, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life for relatives and friends will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 3 p.m. at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church. The family would like to thank all the staff at St. Jacobs Place for their kind and compassionate care over the past two years. In Merv's memory, donations to the Mennonite Central Committee would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Arrangements entrusted to the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira.
