Obituary of Ruth Shantz

<h1>Ruth Shantz</h1> nee Roth 1933 – 2007 Ruth passed away, after a lengthy, but courageous battle with cancer, at Freeport Health Centre of Grand River Hospital on Saturday, September 8, 2007, at the age of 73. Beloved wife and best friend of Leon for almost 49 years, married October 11, 1958. Devoted and loving mom to Perry Shantz and Penny Penticost and her husband John, all of Kitchener. Ruth will be missed by her grandbabies Kylie, Brooke, and Joel Penticost. Survived by sisters and brothers, Mary Jantzi; brother-in-law, Ohmer Gerber, William Roth (Cora), Mahlon Roth, Erma Roth, Samuel Roth, Eileen Roth (David), Viola Wagler. Predeceased by her parents, Christian and Veronica Roth, sisters, Sarah Gerber, Annie Jantzi, and Laureen Nafziger, two sisters-in-law, Mary Roth and Anna Mae Roth, and four brothers-in-law, Simeon Jantzi, David Jantzi, Ivan Nafziger and Omar Wagler. Ruth is also remembered by Leon’s brothers and their spouses, Vernon Shantz-deceased (Ruth), Glen and Betty Shantz, Carson and Gail Shantz, Peter and Wendy Shantz. Will also be remembered by her many “Roth” and “Shantz” nieces and nephews and their families. For 22 years, Ruth was a dedicated school bus driver for Shantz Coach Lines and volunteered her spare time at Nithview Home in New Hamburg and the Out of the Cold Program at Benton Street Baptist in Kitchener. A special thank you is extended to Kelly and the other CCAC nursing staff, Dr. Kontakos, Dr. Williamson and nurses at Freeport and our First Mennonite Church family for their incredible support and guidance throughout this journey. Relatives and friends may call at the Erb &amp; Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South in Waterloo, on Tuesday, September 11 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service to celebrate Ruth’s life and faith will be held at First Mennonite Church, 800 King Street East in Kitchener, on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at First Mennonite Cemetery. Reception in the church Fellowship Hall. Condolences for the family and memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Freeport Health Centre, the Mennonite Central Committee or the Community Care Access Centre. Donations may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com In living memory of Ruth, a tree will be planted through the Trees for Learning Program by the funeral home.