Arlene Jantz

On Monday December 12, 2022, Arlene Stier Jantz, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, was called Home to join her father, Frank Stier; mother, Evelyn; sister, Joan; best friend and Soul Sister, Geneva Harty; and both of her sons, Alan and David Jantz whom, themselves, were preceded in death by their father Adolf (Al) Jantz, Jr.

Arlene was born February 23, 1936 in Dennison, Ohio. Arlene was very proud of her hometown and even after 60 years in Texas she never fully lost her northeastern accent, and “you’uns” remained a prominent staple in her vocabulary. While she was offered a position at the local bank while still a Senior at Dennison High School, she had larger ambitions than her small hometown could provide. So, after receiving a letter from a girlfriend in Washington DC, Arlene packed up after graduation in 1954 and joined her friend in a boarding house and began working as a secretary in the nation’s Capital. It was there that she met her future husband, Al Jantz, who was an accountant for the Federal Reserve and 10 years her senior.

Al and Arlene moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1959 and welcomed their first-born son, Alan Frank, in 1960 followed by their youngest son, David Keith in 1962. While Al traveled quite a bit for work, they had a very fulfilling social life in Fort Worth. Al and Arlene were both avid golfers and enjoyed spending time with his first cousin, Bill Harty and his wife, Geneva, as well as their 2 children Pam and Cliff, and they all had a large circle of friends. Arlene and Al divorced in 1978 and although Al passed away in 1989 and Bill passed away in 1997, Arlene and Geneva stayed lifelong friends until Geneva’s passing in February 2022.

Near the end of her marriage, Arlene attended night school and earned her degree in bookkeeping. After her divorce in 1978, Arlene raised her 2 teenage sons and was able to purchase her townhome in Arlington, TX in 1979. Her career consisted of Banking, Financial Investment and Administrative Secretary in private industry.

She joined the Elks Lodge in 1980 where she remained a member until her death. It was at the Arlington Elks Lodge where she met some of her lifelong best friends, Cindy Haas, Pat Robinson, and LaVonne Davis among many, many others. Always the life of the party, Arlene and her friends were prominent fixtures at John B’s in Arlington and she was well known to have a drink in her hand and a smile on her face. She loved to dance and sing and could be found most nights out on the dance floor singing and dancing along to every song. Arlene was an amazing storyteller, had a keen sense of humor, and her robust laugh was infectious.

Arlene’s life was not an easy one, but she faced every obstacle with strength and dignity. Arlene was incredibly smart and independent, and she passed these qualities on to her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know her.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Susan Jantz, her Grandchildren- Ryan Jantz (Susie), Adam Jantz (Lora), Alex Jantz, and Mary Jantz; her Great Grandchildren- Henry, Lily, and Tanner; Nephew, Glenn, wife Denise and their children, Alexa and Blake; and many cousins.

Arlene asked that no services be held. She will be interred with her father, mother, and sister in Uhrichsville, OH.

She has asked that donations be made in her memory to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation and the American Heart Association.

Here are some of Arlene’s thoughts…passed down in her own handwriting:

Legacy

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times & laughing times & brought & sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun; of happy memories that I leave when this life is done.