Harvey Jantz, 71

Harvey Jantz, 71, a former resident of Grand View and Mountain Home, died Sept. 15, 2005, in Bethel Nome, Kan., where he had been living for the past six months.

Harvey was born to Daniel and Adel Gunda Yost Jantz on July 7, 1934, at Copeland, Kan. He spent his early childhood in the Dust Bowl years at Copeland and received several years of grammar school education. In August, 1947, he moved with his parents and family to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, where he received the rest of his basic education.

He was converted and later baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, at Bonners Ferry.

"He enjoyed life, having a quiet humor and perception," his family said. "Harvey had a winning way with children. He loved to sing and also did much writing in the course of his life, including letter writing. He knew many scriptures by memory and had a detailed memory of people and incidents."

Two years of voluntary service were spent in Roseburg, Ore. After his service days, he was involved in sawmill work, logging, heavy equipment, and road building. He especially liked to wash and wax cars, which led to his employment in the detailing business for many years. He had struggles in life and met with disappointment. During this time he chose to isolate himself from his family and the church for 36 years. He moved about within the state of Idaho, living in such places as Pierce, Meridian, Orofino and Mountain Home. He enjoyed walking for exercise and was known as "The Walker" in Nampa, Idaho.

He spent three months living with his nephews and their families in Grand View, where he formed bonds of lasting value with them, including the great nephews and nieces. Due to health conditions, he later transferred from a care facility in Mountain Home to Bethel Nome in Kansas.

He is survived by a brother Franklin D., and wife, Hazel, of Livingston, Calif.; sister Erma Koop of Stayton, Ore.; brother Ervin and wife Doris of Bonners Ferry; sister Gladys Null of Charleston, W. Va.; sister Martha and husband Raymond Friesen of St. Marys, Ontario; brother Johnny of San Bruno, Calif.; and a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bertha and her husband, Kenneth Jantz; brother Raymond and wife Lucille; sister Rosella Jones and brothers-in-law Frank Koop and Hollis Null.

Following a memorial service at Bethel Home, Montezuma, Kan., a funeral service was held in Bonners Ferry, Sept. 20, in the Mountain View Mennonite Church with interment in the adjoining cemetery.