Obituary of Donald "Roy" Shantz

Following a short battle with cancer Roy Shantz passed away at Grand River Hospital, Kitchener in his 93rd year.

Beloved husband for 53 years of Elaine (Rohr), who passed away in 2009. He was the youngest son of the late Bishop Benjamin and Myra Shantz of Preston.

Devoted father to his children Carolyn Strathdee and her husband Mike, Mark Shantz and his wife Suean Shantz, Phil Shantz and his wife Chris Enns, and Brenda Shantz. Loving grandfather to Ashton Gervais and her husband Kyle, Ella and Kate Strathdee and Mackenzie and Natasha Shantz.

He is also survived by in-laws Nelda Shantz, Gloria and Bill Coats, Diane Rohr, Grace Rohr and Marion Rohr. Roy was predeceased by his sisters Marjorie Martin, Edna Hilborn, Grace Metzger and Violet Good, his brothers Elmer (in infancy), Clayton, Gordon and Ralph, sisters-in-law Verna Shantz and Beth Shantz, and brothers-in-law, Phares Martin, Cranson Good, Wes Metzger, Rae Hilborn, Ed Rohr and Ken Rohr.

Roy was raised on the family farm that was located along the banks of the Grand River near Freeport. Roy attended the two-room Pine Grove School and later Preston High School. He worked in the accounting department at J.M. Schneider for 42 years. Following his retirement from Schneiders, he volunteered for many years for the House of Friendship at Cramer House, developed a hobby of oil painting and worked in his garden. In later years, after he and Elaine moved to Morningside Village in New Hamburg, he volunteered at the New Hamburg MCC thrift store.

Relatives and friends are invited to share memories of Roy during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Tuesday December 5, 2017 from 6-9 p.m. Visitation will continue at Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church, 57 Stirling Ave. N., Kitchener on Wednesday December 6th from 10-10:45 a.m. with a funeral service to celebrate Roy's life and faith at 11 a.m. with Rev. Renee Sauder officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service in the church hall. Private family committal service at Memory Gardens, Breslau.

Dad lived the last few years of his life at Nithview home. The family would like to thank Nithview and Grand River Hospital staff for their care and support of Roy as his health declined.

As expressions of sympathy, gifts may be made to Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church, Mennonite Central Committee, the House of Friendship or Nithview Home by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.