Nellie E. 'Susie' LantzNellie E. “Susie” Lantz passed from this life peacefully June 5, 2011. She was born Jan. 19, 1927, in Goshen, one of five children born to Abraham and Dora Shidler Haney. On Sept. 14, 1947, she married Harold Lantz, who died in April 2002. She was a very active student and 1945 graduate of Goshen High School. She played GAA basketball and volleyball and very rarely missed a sock hop following Friday night basketball games. During these years, she worked at Newberry’s Five and Dime and joined the Victory Shift for Goshen Churn and Ladder. Following graduation, she was hired in the payroll department at the Goshen Condensory. She rekindled a relationship with her high school classmate, Harold Lantz and were together in love for more than 54 years. She worked side by side with Harold in their farm and business ventures and church and family activities. She became a farmer, cattle producer and herdsman, a sander and “finish sprayer” in their wood working shop, a toy maker, a custom sawmill operator, a construction worker and a conservationist. She was a member of Maple Grove Church of the Brethren and served as a Sunday school teacher for the kindergarten class for more than 15 years. She was faithful in study and prayer and was a prayer warrior for her children and grandchildren. As a mother of four, she was our cook, seamstress, nurse, chauffeur, housekeeper, teacher and encourager. She was well known for her ability to make an amazing peach pie and she perfected the family recipe for chocolate dipped fondant and peanut butter fudge. She was an avid reader and loved the outdoors. The log home she and Harold built and the surrounding wildlife were her joy and solace. She demonstrated a servant’s heart, was a tireless caregiver, and was charitable to family and friends. She was a respected and loved wife and mother and will be missed by all. Surviving are a son, Tom (and spouse Jean) Lantz, Syracuse; three daughters, Connie Gamauf, Syracuse, Becky (and spouse Craig) Geyer, Bremen; and Beth (and spouse Bruce) Lamb, Milford; a sister, Marie J. (and spouse Allen) Yoder; and a brother, Ralph (and spouse Sharon) Haney; 15 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Lena Haney and Ruth L. (and spouse Glenn) Miller and a brother, Abraham (and spouse Sharol) Haney. A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Wawasee Community Bible Church, Milford. A private service will be at the grave site following cremation. Calling is from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Flowers may be sent to the church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. prior to calling. ***** Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Envelopes will be available at calling.
