Thomas Lewis Lantz
Thomas Lewis Lantz, age 70, of Shelby, died Monday, January 17, 2022 at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital.
Tom was born September 4, 1951 in Shelby to the late Ralph S. and Marilyn J. (Miller) Lantz. Tom was a 1969 graduate of Crestview High School and later the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. As a lifelong FAA Licensed Airplane and Powerplant Mechanic, Tom began his working career in 1972 and never quit. Over the years, he was a mechanic for Richland Aviation, Fisher Brothers Aviation, and, most recently, worked for Phillips Manufacturing maintaining their aircraft. His admiration for aircrafts did not take away from his lifelong love of farming. He was proud to still farm the original Lantz family farm on Bowman Street Road. In 1990, he and his brother-in-law, Greg Cole, formed C&L Farms and continued to farm the Cole and Lantz farms.
Tom was a longtime member of the Shelby Lions Club, was a Master Mason with the Shelby Masonic Lodge 350 F&AM, was an active and proud member of the NRA, and was a supporter of the Shelby FFA and assisted with the Richland County Livestock Committee. He was an avid sports fan and could always be seen cheering on the Shelby Whippets, The Ohio State University Buckeyes, and watching NASCAR- never missing a Brickyard 400.
To Tom, family was everything. As his son, Mike, so appropriately wrote, “I respected his hard work and attention to detail, but most importantly his passion for his family: wife, brother, sister, kids, and grandkids.” He continued, “But you know what, he put family first and never missed a special game or special moment and was always there to hug Mom and enjoy the sunset at a lighthouse or give his grandkids a big hug after a great game.” His love for family never wavered.
Tom was a multiple myeloma cancer survivor for an amazing 22 ½ years after being diagnosed in April of 1999. This Cleveland Clinic “miracle survivor” used every moment he was granted to live. His bucket list began after his diagnosis which came with not only many adventures but memories and stories that could not be matched. On the bucket list? Lighthouses. Together with his wife, Lori, and brother and sister-in-law, Jon and Kay, they traveled across the United States to see and enjoy beautiful lighthouses. As they say, “It wasn’t just the lighthouses, it was the journey.” Tom and Lori enjoyed spending summers at Bay Point and being by Marblehead Lighthouse and also visited every bicentennial barn all across the State of Ohio. Tom, along, with his sons and many close friends, enjoyed multiple fishing trips to Canada over the years.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Leora Jane “Lori” (Cole) Lantz; 2 sons: Michael Thomas (Natalie) Lantz and Jon Gregory Lantz both of Shelby; 2 grandsons: Cody Michael Lantz and Casey Thomas Lantz; brother: Jon (Kay) Lantz of Noblesville, IN; sister: LuEllen (Robert) Schoen of Kingsland, TX; in-laws: Greg (Faye) Cole of Shelby and Pam (Karl) Graham of Columbus, IN; aunts: Ann (Al) Lazaroff of NJ and Mickey Lantz of TX; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his uncle, Lt. Col. Zane Lantz.
In respect and honor of Tom’s humble nature, love of family, and respect to the health of family and friends, funeral services and calling hours will be private with his family and will not be observed by the general public. For those wishing, memorial contributions may be made to the Shelby Whippet Athletic Boosters, c/o Cathy Dodge, 145 Mansfield Avenue, Apt. #7, Shelby, Ohio 44875 or to the First Lutheran Church, where Tom was a member, 33 Broadway Street, Shelby, Ohio 44875.
Care for Tom and his family is being provided by the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby. Sympathy may be expressed by leaving an online condolence on Tom’s obituary at www.PenwellTurner.com or by leaving a comment on his obituary post on the funeral home’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral.
Lori, Mike, Natalie, Cody and Casey our deepest sympathies. Tom was a fantastic person. We will cherish all the wonderful times we had together. Prayers and hugs.
Tom was one of a kind! Always loved his ornery sense of humor! Sure did tease me as a teen. Always followed it with a big big hug! He truly was a blessing for our family! Wish I were there to give Lori one of those big big hugs! My deepest sympathy to all!
Love
Jane and Scott
To the Lantz Family,
Although saddened by Tom’s passing, he was a miracle in action. A multiple myeloma survivor! His passion for his family was second to none. Please accept our sympathies and prayers and hugs for the passing of Tom.
The Ron Nelson Family
I am heartbroken. I will miss my “Big Brother”., I have many, many
wonderful memories and laughter. I know that there’s a big party going on in heaven about now. My love and prayers to the whole family,
and especially to you, Lori, Michael, and Jon.
Love & Hugs,
Sara
Dear Lori and family, so very sorry for your loss! Sending you lots of prayers !
Our thought and prayers are with the Lantz family. Tom was a good man who really loved the Whippets. God has a special spot for him in heaven.
As a little girl, and even now, Tom was always larger than life, in stature and character. Our Hoover family was blessed beyond measure to have had him be a part of the family for so long. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
With deepest sympathy,
Susan Hoover Rorabaugh
The Texas cousins will miss Tom greatly. Thanks for making part of this family for 37 years. God bless y’all!
Our prayers to the Lantz family. I had the privilege of working with Tom on the Livestock Committee as well as his farming operation and always enjoyed our conversations. He will be missed.
So sorry for your loss!! Prayers for you all!
Jon, Mike and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Your dad was a great man and a great role model for many. Hold on to the wonderful memories. Prayers for your family.
We are so sorry for the loss of your great loved one. May God comfort you may you feel His presence that gives you peace.
Know that you are close in thoughts and prayers. The gift of time that we had with him was precious and rich. God bless.
So sorry to hear about Tom…he was a good friend to me in school and always very friendly. He will be missed, but we will see him again one day in Heaven! Sending our sincere condolences from myself and my family.
Lori, Michael, Jon, LuEllen, Jon, Greg, Pam and Families. I remember Tom always smiling. He was a wonderful cousin. Please know you all have my deepest sympathy for your loss. Hold his memories close in your hearts. Hugs and prayers to you all!
We are so very sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. May God give you all strength through this difficult time.
You will all be in my thoughts. It is a hard thing to lose a loved one.
Lori,Michael, Jon, Luella, Jon, Greg, Pam and family youhave my condolences on the loss of Tom. Went to church with Tom growing up and went to many Lantz family reunions growing up. Prayers are with you all.
Mike and family,
We were sorry to read of your father’s passing. May your many happy memories sustain you in the days ahead.
Lori and family. My deepest condolences on your loss of Tom. I’ll always remember “Stretch” with his big smile and infectious laugh. He was one of the good ones. Time is so fleeting. Peace to you and yours.
So sorry to hear about Tom. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss watching him work the field behind our house on Bowman st. and sitting in his truck or our picnic table taking a break or waiting on some repair parts for his tractor. He was always smiling. You knew he loved to farm. He will be missed.
So sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Our sincerest condolences and prayers that God will comfort you and give you strength
.
I have a very strong memory from when l was very young, of Tom singing in our church choir, along with my Mom & many other loved ones who have gone ahead of us. I can still hear his deep, bass voice in the ‘Amen’ chorus at the end of ‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You’ hymn. That memory is such a blessing to me…
Thank You Tom…
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families in the loss of Tom. There are alot of fond memories of growing up with all of you.
Lori and family, Thank you for all the great memories we have of Tom and your family. As Susan said in her post he was larger than life and made memories like that. Praying for you all!
Lori and family, our prayers are with you. Tom was a good friend and will be greatly missed.
Condolences and prayers at this difficult time to the entire Lantz family. May God grant you strength in the days ahead.
Dear family of Tom, We want to express heart sympathy. Tom always had a kind heart and like Michael expressed, family first, even extended family. Please know our prayers for all of you are being lifted up May God keep his loving arms around each of you as you continue on your life journey. May Gods blessings warm your hearts. Sending love Milt and Deane (extended family)
SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT TOM GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
My thoughts and prayers for your family.
Tom was like my airport dad/friend. He was always there to mentor, give a hand or just talk about farming. He will be missed but his airport buddies will never forget him.
Our condolences to all of you. What a special father and husband. I can still see him passing a football to his sons when we were neighbors at Bay Point. Many prayers coming your way.
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Tom. Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Our Condolences,
Jeff and Karen Kuhn
Lori and family so sorry for your loss of your beloved Tom. May God wrap his arms and bring peace and comfort to you and yours.
As i write this, with trars in my eyes, i have such wonderful memories of Tom tinkering with airplanes at Richland Aviation. One of those was ours, and he took such good care of it. I loved spending time with him, which i often did when Tom was battling the cancer. Hr eas a wonderful guy with a great knowledge of aviation. I want to express my sympathy to the family. I am sure the loss is great.
Lori,
So very sorry to hear of your loss. Remember very well meeting him at district science fair so many years ago – maybe 54 years ago. Time goes by so fast. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Joan Barber Jones
Jim and I send sincere sympathy to all of Mr. Lantz’ family and especially to Natalie and Michael and Greg and Faye Cole. We did not have the privilege of knowing him and that is our loss.
Dear Lori and Family, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers!