John Arthur Lantz
October 18, 1944 — July 26, 2008
John Arthur Lantz, 63, of 820 Westview Drive in Marion, died July 26, 2008, at Crestview Acres Care Center in Marion, following a twenty-one year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Services: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at First Presbyterian Church in Marion by Rev. Jay Miller. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion and one hour prior to the service at the church. Masonic services will begin at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home by Marion No. 6 Masonic Lodge. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion.
John was born the only son of Reuben and Helen Lantz in Birmingham, Alabama, on October 18, 1944. As a baby he moved to Iowa, later graduating from Boone High School in 1962, and then from Iowa State University in 1971. He began his career as a musician in Boone as a drummer for “The Blue Notes”. He married Evelyn Coleman in Boone on December 16, 1967. After graduating from Iowa State, he moved to Marion and operated a photography studio at the former Armstrong’s Department Store in Cedar Rapids, later starting his own studio, specializing in wedding photography. He went on to form the Silver Dollar Band in which he sang and played the drums. He played for many weddings and parties in the area. For twenty years, he photographed houses for the Board of Realtors book.
John was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marion, where he was a former Deacon and Elder. He also was a member of the Marion No. 6 Masonic Lodge and former member of the Corvette Club. He loved to go fishing in Canada with his family and his best friends, Roger and Gin Pitzen, and Jack and Carol Matthews.
Surviving are his wife of forty years, Evie; their sons, Raymond Lantz of Cedar Rapids and Ryan (Christine) of Marion; their daughter, Melynda (Gary) Wolter of Marion; grandchildren, Jonathan, Emma, and Anna, and their mother, Heather Lantz, Ashley and Jack Lantz, and Adam and Austin Wolter; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Robert) Woode of Davenport, Roberta (Richard) Flanagan of West Hills, California; nephews, David (Debbie) Thomas and Stephen (Angel) Thomas; nieces, Diane (Daryl) Osborne, Mary (Mike) Hart and Ann (Frank) Mellon; great-nieces, Danielle, Courtney, and Hailey; great-nephews, Kevin (Liana), Christopher, Justin, Brendan, Daniel and Dustin (Jody); a great-great-nephew, Joey; a special aunt, Doris Wells and her family from Avon, Ohio; and many cousins who were more like sisters and brothers to John.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother-in-law, Don Thomas.
John’s family would like to thank Mercy Medical Center and St. Luke’s Hospital for the care over the last several years. Also, Crestview Acres and St. Luke’s Hospice for the wonderful care over his final days. And a special thanks to John’s Doctors over the years, Dr. Tyler, Dr. Booth, Dr. Bell, Dr. Strieb, and Dr. Koln.
A memorial fund has been established in John’s memory.
John was born the only son of Reuben and Helen Lantz in Birmingham, Alabama, on October 18, 1944. As a baby he moved to Iowa, later graduating from Boone High School in 1962, and then from Iowa State University in 1971. He began his career as a musician in Boone as a drummer for “The Blue Notes”. He married Evelyn Coleman in Boone on December 16, 1967. After graduating from Iowa State, he moved to Marion and operated a photography studio at the former Armstrong’s Department Store in Cedar Rapids, later starting his own studio, specializing in wedding photography. He went on to form the Silver Dollar Band in which he sang and played the drums. He played for many weddings and parties in the area. For twenty years, he photographed houses for the Board of Realtors book.
John was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marion, where he was a former Deacon and Elder. He also was a member of the Marion No. 6 Masonic Lodge and former member of the Corvette Club. He loved to go fishing in Canada with his family and his best friends, Roger and Gin Pitzen, and Jack and Carol Matthews.
Surviving are his wife of forty years, Evie; their sons, Raymond Lantz of Cedar Rapids and Ryan (Christine) of Marion; their daughter, Melynda (Gary) Wolter of Marion; grandchildren, Jonathan, Emma, and Anna, and their mother, Heather Lantz, Ashley and Jack Lantz, and Adam and Austin Wolter; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Robert) Woode of Davenport, Roberta (Richard) Flanagan of West Hills, California; nephews, David (Debbie) Thomas and Stephen (Angel) Thomas; nieces, Diane (Daryl) Osborne, Mary (Mike) Hart and Ann (Frank) Mellon; great-nieces, Danielle, Courtney, and Hailey; great-nephews, Kevin (Liana), Christopher, Justin, Brendan, Daniel and Dustin (Jody); a great-great-nephew, Joey; a special aunt, Doris Wells and her family from Avon, Ohio; and many cousins who were more like sisters and brothers to John.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother-in-law, Don Thomas.
John’s family would like to thank Mercy Medical Center and St. Luke’s Hospital for the care over the last several years. Also, Crestview Acres and St. Luke’s Hospice for the wonderful care over his final days. And a special thanks to John’s Doctors over the years, Dr. Tyler, Dr. Booth, Dr. Bell, Dr. Strieb, and Dr. Koln.
A memorial fund has been established in John’s memory.
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