William Lawrence Frantz, 86, passed away Sunday, September 18, 2016 with his loving family at his side at Caretel Inns of Lakeland.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, September 22, 2016 at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 220 Church St., St. Joseph, MI with Father Creagan officiating with burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a rosary recited at 7:00 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. MI. Memorial donations may be made to LMC Laker Athletic Program, St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center or Alzheimer’s Association. Those wishing to sign William’s Memory Book online may do so atwww.starks-menchinger.com.
William was born November 15, 1929 in Grandville, PA to Daniel and Genevieve Frantz. On April 18, 1953 he married Dolores Johnson, the love of his life, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. William was a purchasing agent for Bosch (Weldun Intl.) and retired in 1992 after 26 years of service. He was a former Board member for the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center and continued on as a volunteer. William earned 3rd degree honors with the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Economic Club. He was also a Reserved Retired Volunteer Police Officer for the city of St. Joseph and was an Usher at St. Joseph Catholic Church for over 30 years. William enjoyed sports and played high school football and baseball, following the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates all his life. He coached and managed the Heath Company Sox Little League team and led them in 1968 to the city championship. He never missed a football or basketball game or sporting event or any activity involving his children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren, as they were the joy of his life.
William is survived by his wife Dolores, three children Ruth (Timothy) Gaipa of St. Joseph; Victoria (Ronald) Marschke of Berrien Springs and William (Linda) Frantz, Jr. of Berrien Springs; five grandchildren, Joseph Gaipa of St. Joseph; Brian (Ashley) Marschke of Berrien Center, Brett (Erma) Marschke of Berrien Springs; Amanda (David) Barrett of St. Joseph and Chad (Nicole) Frantz of Berrien Center; thirteen great-grandchildren, Allie, Brooke, Carys and Kendall Gaipa; Mykena Gaipa; Brielle and Brock Marschke; Kadin, Landon and Kayleigh Marschke; Roslyn Barrett; Abby and Kelton Frantz; one sister Olive Hormell; niece Deborah Ackroyd and great-niece Alicia Morgan.
He is preceded in death by his parents, son John Michael in 1958, brother James and grandson Alan Gaipa in 2008, and his step father Irven Confer.