Mike Tschantz

MIKE TSCHANTZ

Monticello

Mike Tschantz, 65, died Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at the Joan and Ed Hemphill Hospice House in UnityPoint St. Luke's Hospital following a battle with colon cancer. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a..m Friday, June 24, at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello, where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Survivors include his wife, Marcia; his daughter, Tonia (Lewis) Balentine; two grandchildren, Ashlynn and Alex; his sister, Marcia (Gary) Schwandt; his stepmother, Mary Tschantz; and two sisters-in-law, Pam Tschantz and Donna Ehlts.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Marilyn; and a brother, Marc.

Michael Duane Tschantz was born Oct. 24, 1950, at John McDonald Hospital, Monticello, the son of John and Dorothy Ortgies Tschantz. Mike graduated from Monticello Community Schools in 1968. He was employed at Roger Hearn's Shell Station then at Energy Manufacturing. He managed Legacy Kimberly Bowling Alley for several years then worked for Staner Heating and Plumbing. His current job was as a driver for the JETS Bus, a job he truly loved. He also worked part-time at Legacy Lanes.

Mike loved traveling to Illinois to see his grandkids.

When he wasn't working he was helping on the family farm, campground or he was helping someone else with a project or repair. Mike was an active bowler, bowling on many different teams. He taught the junior bowling program for many years and attended and coached their state bowling tournaments. He coached the girls' Legion league softball team for his daughter, Tonia. He loved to take a bunch of friends to follow the Hughes Racing Team to Farley and West Liberty in the "Monkey Bus."

Mike's greatest joys were his grandchildren and helping other people.