Donald L. Shantz, Sr., 76, resident of Taneytown, Maryland, died on Friday November 11, 2016 at his home.
Donald was born April 20, 1940 in Hagerstown, Maryland. He was the child of Clara Flora Peters and Richard Carl Shantz. He was married to Marie Fogle Shantz, his wife of 53 years.
Don lived in Emmitsburg with his great-grandparents before moving to Taneytown in 1952. He attended Taneytown Jr-Sr High School graduating in 1958 where he enjoyed playing basketball.
Upon graduation he worked for Gettysburg Shoe Factory, Cambridge Rubber Factory, Emeco Corporation in Hanover and Taney Supply Corp.
He entered the Army November 1961, retiring 1 February 1986 with 25 years active service. Awards and Decorations included 1 Bronze Star, 4 Army Commendation Medals, 4 Meritorious Service Medals, 8 Good Conduct Medals, Campaigns consisted of Tet 1969; Counter Offensive – Vietnam, Summer-Fall 1969 and Winter-Spring 1970. Served one tour in Okinawa (1961-1963), two tours in the Military District of Washington DC (1963-1969) (1970-1973), one tour in Vietnam (1969-1970), 2 tours in Germany (1973-1976) Stuttgart, (1983-1984) Frankfurt. 1 tour at Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md (1976-1980); 1 tour at Fort Carson, Colorado, serving as First Sergeant, (1980-1981), 1 tour at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Aberdeen, Md (1981-1983), and 1 tour at Fort Ritchie, Md (1983-1986) retiring as Sergeant Major. He was then licensed as a real estate agent.
He was a member of the American Legion Hesson-Snider Post #120, Knights of Columbus, Third Degree, Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, Taneytown, Kiwanis Club of Taneytown, Terra Rubra Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars – Harney, Carroll County Association of Realtors.
He enjoyed coaching children’s basketball and baseball as well as umpiring children’s sports and had a great love of Golfing with his buds!
He is survived in addition to his wife, by his children, Stephanie Myers and husband Jeffrey of Westminster, Donald L. Shantz, Jr. and wife Patricia of Westminster, Colorado, Alexa L. Lookenbill and husband Russell of Taneytown; grandchildren, Nicholas Myers and wife Megan, Lauren Myers and husband Eddie, and Payton Lookenbill; uncles, Edward and Robert Peters; numerous cousins and nieces.
He was predeceased by a sister, Mary Lena Heagy, uncles, John Alexander Peters and Theordore Peters; aunts, Ruth Orcutt and Alice Paul; grandparents, William O. Peters and Eleanor Peters Burker, and Earl H. Shantz and Alice J. Householder Shantz.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Taneytown, with Father John F. Lesnick as celebrant. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. at the MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, 136 E. Baltimore St., Taneytown.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus Council #11631 c/o: St. Joseph Catholic Church, 44 Frederick St., Taneytown, MD 21787.
Charitable donations may be made to:
St. Joseph Taneytown Council Knights of Columbus #11631
44 Frederick Street, Taneytown MD 21787