Elvera Viola (Unruh) Jantz
Elvera Viola (Unruh) Jantz
was born April 2, 1923, in Meno, Okla., the fifth of seven children of Peter B.
and Elizabeth H. Unruh. Elvera passed away Saturday (Oct. 4, 2008) at the age
of 85 with her family at her bedside at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. Elvera is
survived by her husband of 60 years, Harold R. Jantz of Newton. Her children
include twins, daughter Deanna (and Harold) Webb of Highland, Calif., and son
Rodney (and Karen) Jantz of Stilwell; and son, Bradley Jantz of of Newton. Also
surviving are sisters, Delores Stevens of Denison, Texas, and Dorothy Koehn of
Oklahoma City.
She was preceded in death by
her father, Peter B. Unruh; mother, Elizabeth H. (Jantz) Unruh; brother, Harold
Unruh; sister, Virgie Koehn; brother, Melvin Unruh Jr.; and sister, Florene
Bergman.
Elvera's grandchildren were
the light of her life and include Matthew (and Amber) Webb of Redlands, Calif.;
Ryan Webb of Highland, Calif.; Jennifer Jantz of Stilwell; Amy Jantz of
Greencastle, Ind.; Jake Jantz of Newton; Josh Jantz of Avon Park, Fla.; and
Zachary Jantz, who preceded her in death.
Elvera and Harold married on
May 2, 1948, at New Hopedale Mennonite Church in Meno. They farmed near Tampa
until 1994, when they retired and moved to North Newton.
She was a faithful and
dedicated member of Friedenstal Mennonite Church and later, Central Heights
Mennonite Church. In her younger years, she taught children's Bible school
classes and participated in the music programs of the church.
Visitation will be from 1 to
9 p.m. Thursday at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton, with family greeting
friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
A memorial service will be at
2 p.m. Friday at Faith Mennonite Church in Newton.
Private burial will be at
Peace Valley Cemetery in rural Durham.
