Joan Rantz

One needed only to look around Joan Rantz’s home to see where her heart was. With photos of siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews sitting on tabletops and hanging on the walls, Joan was always surrounded by her beloved family. A kind and affectionate woman, with a smile for everyone she met, Joan happily dedicated her life to caring for her family members. Joan’s sweet nature, kind heart, and cheerful smile will live on the hearts and memories of all those whose lives she touched.

Joan Ellen was born on July 19, 1927, to proud parents Warren and Gladys (Shigley) Clancey. She was the second of three children, and grew up with siblings Patricia and Barbara in the West Lake area of Portage, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Clancey both worked outside the home – Warren as a toolmaker and Gladys as the vice-president of a local bank. Joan attended Portage schools until her senior year, when she moved to Martin, Michigan where she graduated from Martin High School in 1945.

After high school, Joan found a position at the Diner in Martin. One evening after work, it was arranged that Joan would go on a blind date with a young man named Charles “Cal” Rantz. However, when the time came Cal decided to go to the Allegan County Fair with his friends instead. Later that evening, somebody pointed out Joan to Cal, and he began to regret standing her up! Luckily, Joan decided to give Cal a second chance, and the rest is history. Joan and Cal were married on July 21, 1946, in Plainwell, Michigan.

In the years to come, Joan and Cal were blessed with five children: Chuck, Ellen, Dennis, Gary, and Amy. Joan was a wonderful mother, kind and caring, and always supportive of her children. She loved spending time with her family – her favorite place on earth was the family cottage at Gun Lake. Joan enjoyed camping, and in the winter months often joined the kids sledding down snow-covered hills. In addition to caring for her own family, Joan also managed to find time to volunteer at the Plainwell Library.

Joan and Cal enjoyed traveling, and a few of their more memorable excursions were trips out East and to Alaska. At home, Joan enjoyed painting and sewing, and loved watching old John Wayne and Shirley Temple films. Before she knew it, Joan became a delighted grandmother and great-grandmother, with ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She loved spending time with the grandkids, and passed many happy hours sketching and drawing with them.

When Cal’s health began to fail, their son Dennis welcomed Joan and Cal into his home. Sadly, Joan’s beloved companion of more than fifty years passed away in 2002. Joan continued to live with Dennis, where being surrounded by family has been a great comfort to her.

Cheerful, caring, and always smiling, Joan was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, and a loyal friend. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her many friends and family members.

Joan Ellen Rantz died on October 3, 2012, at the age of 85. Joan’s family includes her children, Chuck (Nena) Rantz of Zeeland, Ellen Reid of Florida, Dennis (Mary) Rantz of Holland, Gary (Anita) Rantz of Allegan, and Amy (Jeff) Nieuwenhuis of Wayland; ten grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; her sister, Patricia Quirin; brothers and sister in law: Sue & Dick Kennedy and Lynn Newberry; and a special niece, Zoan Allen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Cal” in 2002; her sister, Barbara Gruscinski; son in law Tom Reid and several other family members, including Harold Gruscinski, Jerry Quirin, Pat and Clarabelle Rantz, Ted Van Atta, Eleanor Newberry, Don and LaVerne Rantz, Mel and Gertrude Allen, and Dorothy Swetish.

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, 120 S. Woodhams, Plainwell (685-5881). The funeral will be at 1 p.m. on Monday at the same location, with Pastor Dan Minor officiating. The burial will be at Hillside Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Resthaven Care Center or Spectrum Hospice. Please visit Joan’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about her life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.