Obituary for Ronald W. Schantz
Ronald W. Schantz, 81, of Belleville, IL, died February 22, 2021 at Lebanon Care Center. He was born January 13, 1940 in E. St. Louis, IL.
Ron graduated from Belleville Township High School in 1958. He served in the US Army and Army Reserves; earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Finance from Southern Illinois University E. St. Louis/Alton branch. He pursued a career in sales culminating in his thirty plus years as a mutual fund and annuity wholesaler. He earned many accolades and awards during his career and was known as an “Icon” in the industry. Along with his professional career, he was a well known local entrepreneur. He developed properties, built and operated many businesses in the area and in other locations.
Ron had a big heart and blessed many with his care and generosity. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a loving father and adoring grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William L. and Pauline (Arnold) Schantz; his sister, Alice Ann Birmingham; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Maurice L. and Dorothy M. Rentfrow; two brothers-in-law, Richard and Jim Rentfrow; and two sisters-in-law, Margaret and Jane Rentfrow.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Rosalie (Rentfrow) Schantz, whom he married Easter Sunday, April 18, 1965, at Christ United Church of Christ in Belleville, IL; two children, Joanna Paulette Schantz of Lovell, Maine and Brandon Joseph Schantz of Shiloh, IL.; three grandchildren, Xan Kaylee Hacker of Collinsville, IL, Dawson Patric Schantz and Ashton Cael Schantz of Shiloh, IL; and step granddaughter Nicole (Tim Tichenol) DeFazio of Collinsville, IL; brother-in-law, Jim Birmingham of Swansea, IL; niece and nephew, Bill and Angie Birmingham of Swansea, IL; sister-in-law, Wanda Rentfrow of Newberry, FL; nieces and nephews-in-law, Sue Ann (Ed) Minor and Tom Rentfrow of Effingham, IL, David (Susan) Rentfrow of Santa Fe, NM, Travis Smith of Raleigh, NC, and Tiffany (David) Bottom of Orlando, FL; great nieces and nephews-in-law, Brian (Jessica) Minor of Lowell, IN, Craig (Marielle) Minor of Effingham, IL, Derek (Emily McLaughlin) Minor of Peoria, IL, and Jared (Nikki Lasso) Minor of Champaign, IL, Scott and Kelly Rentfrow of Effingham, IL, Sage Rentfrow of Santa Fe, NM, Ferris and Amelia Rose Bottom of Orlando, FL, Coley and Logan Smith of Raleigh, NC; great great niece and nephew-in-law, Juilliana and Elliot Minor of Effingham, IL., also, members of his daughter-in-law’s family, her mother, Christine Turnbow; sisters, Debra Turnbow and Robin Knehans; niece and nephew, Hannah (Joe) Muehlhauser, and Gavin Guy.
The family wishes to express appreciation to Cedar Ridge and Lebanon Care Center nursing facilities; also to Heartland Hospice Care.
The deceased requested no services.
Donations may be given in Ron’s memory to St. Paul United Church of Christ, Belleville, IL.
Ron graduated from Belleville Township High School in 1958. He served in the US Army and Army Reserves; earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Finance from Southern Illinois University E. St. Louis/Alton branch. He pursued a career in sales culminating in his thirty plus years as a mutual fund and annuity wholesaler. He earned many accolades and awards during his career and was known as an “Icon” in the industry. Along with his professional career, he was a well known local entrepreneur. He developed properties, built and operated many businesses in the area and in other locations.
Ron had a big heart and blessed many with his care and generosity. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a loving father and adoring grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William L. and Pauline (Arnold) Schantz; his sister, Alice Ann Birmingham; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Maurice L. and Dorothy M. Rentfrow; two brothers-in-law, Richard and Jim Rentfrow; and two sisters-in-law, Margaret and Jane Rentfrow.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Rosalie (Rentfrow) Schantz, whom he married Easter Sunday, April 18, 1965, at Christ United Church of Christ in Belleville, IL; two children, Joanna Paulette Schantz of Lovell, Maine and Brandon Joseph Schantz of Shiloh, IL.; three grandchildren, Xan Kaylee Hacker of Collinsville, IL, Dawson Patric Schantz and Ashton Cael Schantz of Shiloh, IL; and step granddaughter Nicole (Tim Tichenol) DeFazio of Collinsville, IL; brother-in-law, Jim Birmingham of Swansea, IL; niece and nephew, Bill and Angie Birmingham of Swansea, IL; sister-in-law, Wanda Rentfrow of Newberry, FL; nieces and nephews-in-law, Sue Ann (Ed) Minor and Tom Rentfrow of Effingham, IL, David (Susan) Rentfrow of Santa Fe, NM, Travis Smith of Raleigh, NC, and Tiffany (David) Bottom of Orlando, FL; great nieces and nephews-in-law, Brian (Jessica) Minor of Lowell, IN, Craig (Marielle) Minor of Effingham, IL, Derek (Emily McLaughlin) Minor of Peoria, IL, and Jared (Nikki Lasso) Minor of Champaign, IL, Scott and Kelly Rentfrow of Effingham, IL, Sage Rentfrow of Santa Fe, NM, Ferris and Amelia Rose Bottom of Orlando, FL, Coley and Logan Smith of Raleigh, NC; great great niece and nephew-in-law, Juilliana and Elliot Minor of Effingham, IL., also, members of his daughter-in-law’s family, her mother, Christine Turnbow; sisters, Debra Turnbow and Robin Knehans; niece and nephew, Hannah (Joe) Muehlhauser, and Gavin Guy.
The family wishes to express appreciation to Cedar Ridge and Lebanon Care Center nursing facilities; also to Heartland Hospice Care.
The deceased requested no services.
Donations may be given in Ron’s memory to St. Paul United Church of Christ, Belleville, IL.