Kenneth Kantz, 79 / Oct. 28, 1930 – April 9, 2010

Published 12:55 pm Thursday, April 15, 2010

Kenneth Kantz, 79, of Edwardsburg passed to his rest Friday night, April 9, 2010 at his home after an illness.

Kenneth was born Oct. 28, 1930 in Elkhart, Ind., the son of Donald E. and Marie (Keeley) Kantz. He graduated from Edwardsburg High School.

Ken and his brother, Al, were in business together, working as A&K Excavating in Edwardsburg. They were owners of heavy equipment for doing excavation and road building from 1965 to 1986. Ken was a past member of the Edwardsburg Village government, serving as a trustee on the council. Ken was a member of the Edwardsburg Fire Department. Ken was a second generation of firemen, because his father, Donald, was a former fire chief in the 1950s and 60s.

Ken was married March 31, 1949 in South Bend to Betty Jean Rossow, who survives with their three children: Jean (Gregg) Herreman, of Greer, S.C.; Janice (Robert) Litty, of Edwardsburg; and Donald (Sharon) Kantz, of Cassopolis. There are four grandchildren: Scott Herreman, Robert Litty, Joseph Litty and Willam Metzger. Ken has a brother, Al, (Sally) Kantz, of Edwardsburg.

Members of the family who have passed are his parents and a sister, Darlene Baughman.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the Hope United Methodist Church, 69947 Elkhart St. Friends may visit with the family for one hour before the services. Officiating will be Melinda Gearhart of Niles, a niece to Betty Kantzs. Burial of the cremains will be at a later time in Edwardsburg Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Edwardsburg Fire Department.

Arrangements are by Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, Edwardsburg.