Obituaries : John Walter “Jack” Bantz

John Walter "Jack" Bantz was born on March 11, 1943 to Franklin Gale and Maxine (Kelley) Bantz. Jack passed away peacefully at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City surrounded by family.

Jack met his wife, Carol Land, in Long Beach, CA where he was stationed in the U.S. Navy. They were married on August 14, 1965 and two sons were born from their union, John (Julie) Bantz of Indianola, IA and Joe (Laura) Bantz of Cedar Rapids, IA. The couple also has two grandchildren, Cameron and Bradyn.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Carol in 2018; his sisters, Shirley Mayhew and Bette Climer; and his uncle John (Mardene) Kelley.

Jack is survived by his sons, John and Joe, and grandsons, Cameron and Bradyn, as well as his brother, Bob (Irene) Bantz of East Farmington, WI; his sisters, Kathy (David) Demulling of Osceola, WI, Carol (Dale) Larimer of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Laura (Loren) Wood of Vinton, IA; and brother-in-law Marlyn Mayhew of Vinton, as well as numerous nieces and nephews; he is also survived by Carol's siblings, James (Doris) Land, Jeff (Patsy) Land, Donna Biggs, Tammy (Thomas Hankins) Land and Teresa White, all of Tennessee.

Jack served his country in the United States Navy from 1961 through 1965, stationed aboard aircraft carriers out of the Long Beach Naval Airstation. Jack operated Auto's Unlimited, an auto restoration and repair business in Vinton, and retired from PMX in Cedar Rapids where he had worked from 1998 through 2019. He was a member of the VFW and the Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57 in Vinton. He enjoyed fishing and making people laugh. His greatest joy was spending time with his children and grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 3:00 until 6:00 PM on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, (212 E. 6th Street) Vinton, IA. Military Rites will be conducted at the funeral home at 6:00 PM on Thursday. A private internment to be held at Evergreen Cemetery at a later date.

Online condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com