COLUMBIA CITY - Tom L. Hontz, 66, of Etna Troy Township, died at 1:25 p.m. Oct. 24, 2007, at The Oaks Living Center, Columbia City.
He was born Nov. 12, 1940, in Warsaw, to Ralph W. and Lillie Tom Hontz.
He graduated from Larwill High School in 1959 and received a bachelor's degree in speech and drama from Manchester College in 1963. While at Manchester College, he performed with the Tri-Alpha Theatre, where he received the Best Actor Award in 1962 and the Miley Award for drama in 1963. From 1959 to 1965, he performed at the Wagon Wheel Playhouse in Warsaw. In 1968 he acted and directed the Indiana State University Summer Theater program and received the Best Actor Award for the 1968 season. In 1970, he received a master's degree in English and speech, completing work at Indiana State University, Indiana University and St. Francis College. In 1963, he started his teaching career at River Forest Community Schools and retired in 1995. He was the recipient of the Inland Steel Teacher of the Year award in 1995. After retirement, he returned to Whitley County and continued his acting career with the Columbia City Curtain Players and Eagle Quest Theater. He was a member of the Etna United Methodist Church, Whitley County Senior Citizens and the Indiana Retired Teachers Association.
Surviving are a brother, George Hontz, Kimmel; and a sister, Mrs. Alva (Darlene) Myers, Fort Wayne. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, with Pastor Karen Biddle officiating. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery, Wilmot.
Calling is from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and one our before the service Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials to American Diabetes Association.
Condolences may be sent to smithandsonsfuneralhome.com
