Obituary of Elvera Shantz

<h1>Elvera Shantz</h1> (nee Searth) 1925 - 2009 Passed away peacefully at Lisaard House, Cambridge, December 13, 2009 following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. She was 84 years old. Loving Mother of Susan McLaughlin (husband Ray) and Roger Shantz (late wife Janis). Cherished Gramma of Lucas (wife Michelle) and Nathan (wife Lindsay) McLaughlin; and Matthew (fiancée Crystal), Andrew (partner Allison) and Daniel Shantz. Beloved Great-Gramma of twins James and Morgan McLaughlin, Evan McLaughlin, and Meg Kathleen Pearl McLaughlin. Sister to Erma Korn, Kitchener. Predeceased by her husband Howard Shantz, her parents Marguerite and William Searth, her brother Howard Searth, and her sister Mildred Schut. Elvera was a lifelong resident of Breslau. She was the secretary-treasurer for Howard S. Shantz Excavating Limited for many years. She was well known for her faith, as a member of various churches including Trinity Lutheran Church in Shantz Station (now closed), Hope Lutheran in Kitchener and her ‘cottage church’ Geneva Presbyterian in Chesley. Her unfailing dedication to charitable causes such as Lampwick missions will live on in the many quilts that she was so generously a part of, and in the Hope Church ‘Mitten Tree’. Elvera enjoyed many years at ‘The Cottage’ near Chesley, where she would spend countless hours with her flower gardens, her birds, her family and cutting and sewing her quilting patches. She had a love of music and singing, having played the organ for most of her lifetime, including playing for services at various churches over the years. She will be missed by her cat ‘Salem’, whom she rescued as a kitten from the road at the cottage. Elvera’s family will receive friends and family at the Erb &amp; Good Family Funeral Home – 171 King Street South, Waterloo, on Tuesday, December 15 from 2-4 and 7-9. Funeral and committal services will be held Wednesday, December 16 at 1:30 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, 30 Shaftsbury Drive, Kitchener (519-893-5290). Internment at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Shantz Station. The family wishes to thank Elvera’s many friends for their prayers, phone calls and cards during her illness. A special thanks to the devoted and compassionate staff and volunteers at Lisaard House. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Lisaard House would be appreciated by the family and can be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com