Howard A. Stantz

Howard A. Stantz, 82, of Spencer, passed away Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014 at I.U. Health Hospice House in Bloomington, following a brief illness.

Howard was born in Coal City on April 22, 1931, the son of Charles A. and Effie Mae (Love) Stantz.

He was a 1950 graduate of Coal City High School. Following high school he served his country in the U.S. Army, serving in Korea where he drove a bridge truck, delivering supplies to the front lines.

He worked at IBM Corp. for 32 years, retiring in 1986. He worked nights so he could own and run his own evergreen tree nursery. He planted and sold trees all over the country. He retired from the nursery business in 2002.

He was a member of Millgrove Bible Baptist Church where he served as a trustee for many years.

He was married to Carol Kittle May 14, 1955, and she survives. They had four children, Tony Stantz and wife Cindy of Coatesville, Doris Anne Stantz, Jon Stantz and wife Lisa of Spencer, and Gerald (Gary) Stantz of Brazil.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rachael Stantz, Caitlin Stantz, Scott Stantz and wife Sarah Jo, Laura Stantz, Sarah Grace Stantz and Kyle Stantz; great-grandchildren Trevor Collisi, Madelyn Stantz, Nolan Stantz, Cooper Stantz and Isabell Reinert; sister Lillie Cooprider of Terre Haute; nephew Jeff Cooprider; brothers-in-law Keith Kittle and wife Connie of Brazil and Conrad Kittle and wife Pam of Clay City; and sister-in-law Kathy Gibson and husband Jim of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and a brother; his daughter, Doris Anne Stantz; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Sue Stantz; and in-laws Israel "Curly" and Marjorie Kittle.

Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 at Schoppenhorst Funeral Home, Clay City, with Bro. David Voorhees officiating. Burial will follow at Sink Cemetery.

Visitation will be at the funeral home, Thursday, from 11 a.m. until time of services.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Sweet Owen Industries, 36 Concord Rd, Spencer, IN 47460.

Visit www.schoppehorstfuneralhome.com to light a candle in his memory.