Gary Dean Jantz

Gary Dean Jantz was born on April 3, 1939 to Dave Jantz and Mabel (Koehn) Jantz in Isabella, Oklahoma.  He passed away on March 30, 2022 in Riley, Kansas

Gary married Ellen Elizabeth Vails on November 17, 1962.  They made their home in Oklahoma City until 1974 when they moved to the farm outside of Wellston, Oklahoma.  Gary remained in Wellston until 2017 when failing health required him and Ellen to move to Manhattan, Kansas to be with their daughter, Vikki. 

Gary retired from the Oklahoma Natural Gas Company after 36 years of service.  While living on their farm Gary enjoyed raising cattle and even a few pigs.  After selling the farm and moving into Wellston, Gary was always finding projects to do around the house and loved taking care of his yard.  He was also proud of his puzzle “art gallery” in his garage showing off the many puzzles that he had completed. 

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Ellen, of Riley, Kansas, his daughter, Vikki, granddaughter Cecilia, and grandson Samuel all of Manhattan, Kansas.  He is also survived by his sister, Jean Jantz, of Yukon, Oklahoma, two brothers, Donald and Darrel Jantz both of Fairview, Oklahoma, brother-in-law J.D. Vails and wife Donna of Wellston, Oklahoma, sister-in-law Joyce Hallock of Newalla, Oklahoma, and sister-in-law Donna Jantz of Cushing, Oklahoma along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dave and Mabel Jantz, his father and mother-in-law John Henry and Fern Vails, a brother Robert “Mac” Jantz, an infant son, and an infant daughter.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 2:00 pm at the Wellston Christian Church with burial to follow at the Wellston Cemetery.  There will be a visitation on Friday, April 8, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Lehman Funeral Home in Wellston.

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