Eugene Wayne "Gene" Jantz's Obituary
Eugene Wayne “Gene” Jantz
Eugene Wayne “Gene” Jantz, 81, passed away Monday, February 29, 2016, in Christus St. Patrick Hospital in Lake Charles, LA. He was born on June 30, 1934, in Ulysses, KS, to Amos Benjamin and Adena Gay Kahn Jantz. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2016, at 10 A.M., in Labby Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in DeRidder with Rev. Lindsey Burns officiating. Burial will follow in Beauregard Cemetery under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, in the funeral home from 5 P.M. until 8 P.M., and Thursday, March 3, 2016, from 9 A.M. until time of the service.
“Gene” is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Lou Jantz; son, Shannon Jantz(Peggy); daughter, Kelly Cronce (Joe); son-in-law Byron Cooley, all of DeRidder, LA; sister, Thelma Koehn of Leland, MS; eight grandchildren, Matthew, Brandon, Kayley, Kade, Andrew, Chance, Chase and Kirby; three great grandchildren, Fynnlie, Kynli and Korben. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Marlanea Cooley, and seven brothers and sisters.
He moved to DeRidder at the age of three where he lived for most of his life. He was owner of Simmons Hardware in DeRidder since 1962. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in DeRidder. Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating and loved his family and especially his grandchildren, dearly. He was a member of Deep South Equipment Dealers Association and served on the board of directors from 1999 thru 2002.
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