Ethel J. Gantz

She was born in Muncie on September 7, 1924, to Nellie B. Gantz and Richard A. Gantz. Ethel was graduated from Burris School, Ball State College, and the University of Illinois, where she earned her MA in Library Science. During her career as a librarian, she worked as a cataloger at Muncie Public Library; as order librarian at Idaho State College; as Head of Order and Catalog Dept. at Cleveland Heights, University Heights Public Library; as Head of Technical Services at South Bend Public Library; and finally retired as Supervisor of Technical Processing at Lansing Public Library, Lansing Public Schools, in Lansing, Michigan. Ethel enjoyed music, especially singing in church choirs and symphonic choirs everywhere she lived. She was a member of the Masterwork Chorale for sixteen years and worked as Music Librarian for many years. Her other hobbies were reading, traveling, and visiting with friends and family. She held memberships in the American Library Association, the Association of Life Long Learners, the Delaware Extension chorus, and High Street Methodist Church. At High Street UMC, she was active in Wesleyan Circle, Archives Committee, Update Learning Committee, May Breakfast, and a member of the Chancel Choir.

She is survived by nephews, Thomas Neal, Crawfordsville, Indiana; Daniel Neal, Malmesbury, South Africa; and Jared Gantz, Frederickstown, Ohio; niece, Catherine Baker, Brazil, Indiana; great nieces, Jill Baker, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Sarah Neal Estes, Indianapolis Indiana; great nephew, David Neal, San Rafael California; and by friend, Nancy Pilkington.

She was predeceased by her parents, sisters Eleanor Neal and Mary Ginn; and her twin brother, John Gantz.

A Memorial service will be held at High Street United Methodist Church, 219 South High Street, Muncie, Indiana 47305 at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 15, 2023, with burial in Cottage Hill Cemetery, Brazil, Indiana.

Elm Ridge Funeral Home has been entrusted with her arrangement.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation to The Samaritan Fund, High Street UMC.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at

elmridgefuneralhome.com for the family.