Graveside Service for Ernest J Schantz, 90, of Enid will be Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Mound Valley Cemetery, Thomas, OK under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

Ernest J Schantz passed away on August 22, 2018. Ernest was born to Peter (Pete) Schantz Jr and Barbara (Detweiler) Schantz on August 26, 1927 in Hydro, Oklahoma. He was baptized in the Pleasant View Mennonite Church, of Hydro, Oklahoma at the age of 14. His father was killed in a tractor accident and left Barbara to raise six boys and two girls ranging from the age of 16 - 4 months. Ernest graduated from the 8th grade at Apraho in 1942, then attended Thomas Public School for one year. He went to work at McNeil Grain Co. in Thomas, OK and McNeil Ranch in Colorado. He was drafted in 1950 into the United States Army serving in the Korean War for two years, and then he returned home and worked for McNeil Grain Co. until 1958. He married Iona Lee Powers in 1958 and they moved to Shamrock, TX where Ernest went to work for C&H Supply driving a truck. To this marriage was born two children, a son, Merle Leon Schantz and a daughter Darla Claudette (Schantz) Carter. The family moved to Yukon, OK in 1965 where Ernest went to work for Transcon Freight Line where he worked until his retirement in 1991. He married Letha Marie Jones in 2005 and they moved to Enid, OK. Following Ernest’s retirement, they enjoyed traveling across the USA until health issues stopped them.

Ernest was preceded in death by his father and mother, brothers, Emory, Vernon, John Dale, and sister, Ruby.

He is survived by his wife Letha (Hendrix) Schantz; brothers Donald and Willis; sister Alma; son Merle and daughter Darla; grandchildren David Brett Schantz, Leslie (Schantz) and husband Dustin Rushing; Lanee, Kip and Lane Carter; two great- grandchildren, Cooper and Jordan Rushing, as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pleasant View Mennonite Church, Hydro, OK in memory of the Ernest Schantz family with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.

Condolences may be sent to www.ladusauevans.com.

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