Submitted by: Dan Rich

Alyce E. Rantz

July 14, 1908 - Dec. 11, 2002

South Bend Tribune 12/14/2002

Alyce E. Rantz, 94, of Battell Street, Mishawaka, Ind., died at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002, at Hospice House in South Bend, Ind. She was born on July 14, 1908, in Sturgis, Mich., to Bessie Belle (VanVorst) Williams and Jay E. Williams and has resided in Mishawaka since 1920 coming from Sturgis.

On Nov. 24, 1929, in First Baptist Church, Rochester, Ind., she married Harold Richard Rantz, who preceded her in death in 1967. Together they had six children. She was also preceded in death by one son, Richard Wayne Rantz in 1979; and three sisters, Blanche Grunert, Ruth Trowbridge and Bertha Fetters, and a half brother, Dellmer Williams. Mrs. Rantz is survived by five children, Alan Dale "Bud" Rantz and wife Kay of Albion, Ind., Marilyn Jean Weisser and husband Carl of South Bend, Eldora Lucille Potts and husband Don of South Bend, Patti Ann Kopczynski and husband Edward of South Bend, and Sharon Ruth Paszek and husband Ronald of Sun City Center, Florida. Also surviving are the loves of her life, her 20 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. Her half brother, Lynn Allen Williams of McAllen, Texas also survives.

Mrs. Rantz was a homemaker for many years and later was employed by J. C. Penney for 14 years. She was an active member of the River Park United Methodist Church, South Bend for over 40 years; also an active member of Theta Phi United Methodist women's group. She volunteered at Battell Center, Mishawaka and was a RSVP Volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital for many years.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, at River Park United Methodist Church, 920 S. 23rd Street, South Bend with Rev. Philip Abram, pastor of the church officiating. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Osceola, Ind. Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend. Contributions in memory of Alyce E. Rantz may be given to Hospice House, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637 or to River Park United Methodist Church.