Samuel Owen "Sam" Lantz

Samuel Owen “Sam” Lantz, 78, of Westerville, OH, passed from this life on Monday, June 26, 2017, after a valiant struggle of over 13 years with the debilitating effects of a severe stroke suffered in 2004. He was born on April 3, 1939, in Hagerstown, MD, to the late Dorothy Jane (Owen) and Lewis Edwin Lantz, Jr.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 48 years, Brenda (Chester) Lantz, two devoted sons, Clark Stephen Lantz and Lewis Edwin Lantz IV, sister, Edwina (Albert) Carlson, sister-in-law, Judith R. Lantz, nieces Krista and Susan Carlson, Paige Houston, Karen (Tracey) Trego, great-nieces Lindsey (David) Gill, Lauren Trego, and Taylor Houston, nephews Eric Carlson, Lawrence Chester, and Greg Caswell. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Lewis Edwin Lantz III, and William Alexander Lantz.

He was a 1957 graduate of South Hagerstown High School (MD) and a 1966 graduate of Baylor University (Waco, TX) with a degree in Business Administration. His 30 year career with the United States Public Health Service (Centers for Disease Control) took him to GA, AR, MS, SC, MD, NC, AL, OH, and India. He worked as an advisor with the diseases of tuberculosis, diabetes and in the final campaign against smallpox in India with the World Health Organization in 1975.

In his community, he was active in the Westerville Area Civitan International Club and Troop 700 BSA. He was a member of Central College Presbyterian Church for over 30 years. His interests were in sports, trivia, old movies, and the family farm in WV. He served in the Army Reserves for six years.

Services will be held at Schoedinger Funeral Home, 6699 N. High St., in Worthington on Saturday, July 8 at 12 noon. Visiting hours will be on Friday, July 7, from 2-4 and 6-8 and on Saturday from 11-12 preceding the service. Burial will be at the Lantz Family Cemetery in Jacksonburg, WV on Monday, July 10.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions may be made to the Central College Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, 975 S. Sunbury Rd., Westerville, OH 43081.

Sam was an enjoyable and interesting person who loved life and people. He will be greatly missed.