John Clovis Lantz

Born on December 12, 1923, in Canton, to the late Oscar and Elizabeth (Clovis) Lantz. John grew up on the family farm where he successfully started his first business at the age of 12, selling the corn to buy his first suit. On his 18th birthday, John gained employment at the Timken Company until proudly serving in the Army during World War II. Upon returning from war, he married Dolly (Gray) Lantz, and they celebrated 74 years of marriage until her passing in November of 2020. He returned to Timken for several years until venturing out on faith and starting his own company, Midstate Equipment. He successfully grew this business until selling it upon retirement in 1978. During retirement, he and Dolly enjoyed their traveling adventures across the United States, with their favorite destination being Alaska.

He was a member of Trinity Methodist Church and was a Jackson High School Golden Bear Alumni. He had a passion for cars and was an active member of the Friends of Corvair, where he cherished the many relationships, he developed with the members.

Along with his parents and wife, Dolly, John is preceded in death by his daughter, Susan First, and his brother, Andy Lantz.

John is survived by two daughters, Doris (Bob) McCutcheon and Joanne Franzen, four grandchildren: Brian (Sarah) Malinowski, Trisha (Troy) Tipple, Julie (Brenden) Lewer, and Matthew First; four great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and one sister, Alberta Kelvie.

Per John’s wishes, he will be cremated and buried next to Dolly at Sunset Hills Burial Park in a private family ceremony. Memorial donations can be made in John’s name to the Friends of Corvair at PO Box 2563 North Canton, Ohio 44720.