Wesley E. Jantz
HESSTON - Wesley E. Jantz,
92, of Hesston, died Wednesday (Sept. 13, 2006) at Schowalter Villa. He was
born on May 14, 1914, to Solomon and Katie (Wadel) Jantz in Greensburg. He
married Phyllis Weaver on May 25, 1943, in Hesston. She survives. Wes was a
very dedicated husband, sharing life with Phyllis for 63 years. He was deeply
committed to his children and grandchildren, always more than willing to stop
and listen with an open, caring heart. He looked forward to and enjoyed attending
the important life events of his grandchildren and left his family the legacy
of a positive approach to life.
Wes was an ordained minister
and served as a pastor, chaplain and health-care administrator. His
professional life took him to Kansas, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota. He
served as the first administrator of Schowalter Villa in Hesston.
One of Wes' interests was
music. He enjoyed singing in male quartets and singing the many hymns of the
church. His most meaningful musical expression was playing the harmonica, a
source of inspiration for many people.
Wes had a sense of humor that
was interspersed with his spirituality. He was acquainted with human suffering
personally as the result of an accident in young adulthood. His pain was a
vehicle to identify with others and an avenue to experience God's grace.
Other survivors include:
children, Melinda and Bob Gerlofs of Bailey, Colo., David of Estes Park, Colo.,
Marilyn and Tom Vidakovich of Buena Vista, Colo., Wayne and Lynda of
Scottsdale, Ariz.; five grandchildren; a great-grandson; three brothers,
Wallace of Hesston, Dewayne and Melvin of Haviland; and sisters, Bernice
Schmidt of Schowalter Villa and Doris Diller of Hesston.
