COLUMBIA CITY - Marian J. Rantz, 86, formerly of rural Pierceton, died at 1:10 a.m. Feb. 8, 2010, in Baystone Health and Rehabilitation, Fletcher, N.C. She was in failing health.
She was born Oct. 13, 1923, in Noble County, to Joseph R. and Grace G. Kell Hile. On March 25, 1950, she married John R. Rantz, who died in 1978.
Her formative years were spent in Etna-Troy Township, Whitley County, where she attended Troy Center School. She graduated from Larwill High School in 1941, and received a business degree from International Business College, Fort Wayne, in 1942. She was a bookkeeper for National Mill Supply from 1942-57; Pierceton Press from 1968-73; and Northern Gases from 1973-75. She was a member of Morris Chapel United Methodist Church, P. Buckley Moss Society and Order of the Eastern Star, Columbia City, for more than 25 years.
Surviving are a son, Peter R. Rantz (and Connie Bachota), Pierceton; a daughter, Katharine (and spouse Paul) Wuttke, Fletcher, N.C.; three grandchildren: Jenna (and spouse Craig) Jensen, Cromwell; Jordan Rantz, Muncie; and Emma Wuttke, Fletcher, N.C.; two step-grandchildren, Keith Wuttke, Charleston, S.C., and Michael Wuttke, Ashville, N.C.; and a former daughter-in-law, Teressa Kiser. She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Joseph, Charles, Paul, Walter and Lewis Hile; and five sisters, Emma Stark, Valentine Johnson, Mary Hile, Dorothy Simon and Ruth Rickey.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial will be in Roann Community Cemetery.
Calling is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
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Memorials to Whitley County Humane Shelter.
Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com
