Rev. Edward Schantz

The Rev. Edward Thomas Schantz, 83, of Latrobe, PA, died suddenly on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Born on April 11, 1933 in Allentown, PA, he was the son of the late Edward and Myrtle Schantz. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Susan McColly Schantz.

A proud member of the Allentown High School Class of 1951, he attended Kutztown College, Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA and the Evangelical Congregational School of Theology in Myerstown, PA. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was a graduate of the Army Language School in Monterey, CA majoring in Japanese.

Rev. Schantz was ordained at St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ in Allentown on July 11, 1965. During his 50 years of ministry, he served parishes in Eastern and Western Pennsylvania. Most recently during his retirement, he was a member of Latrobe Presbyterian Church.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by the following members of his immediate family: Jerry, Lisa and Elena Silva of Sherborn, MA; Jeffrey, Janet, Haley and Alyssa Hutchinson of Acme, PA; Jeffrey, Lia and Mathew Parker of Valparaiso, IN; Andrew (Sr.), Nathan, Adam and Andrew (Jr.) Hutchinson of Greensburg, PA; Michael, Tracy, Cameron and Rachel Hutchinson of Greensburg and Joshua, Emily, Noah and Theodore Lilly of Pittsburgh, PA. Additional survivors include his sister, Lois Schantz Treese of Allentown and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

There will be no visitation and his family will hold a private celebration of his life and ministry. Arrangements are being handled by the Kepple-Graft Funeral Home, Inc., Greensburg.  Should friends desire, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Pittsburgh Assistance Center for Educators and Students (PACES), 874 Kennebec St., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or at www.pittsburghaces.org. Rev. Schantz was deeply involved in PACES, a non-profit organization founded by his daughter Emily Schantz Lilly to enhance learning environments and experiences for Pittsburgh students, teachers and communities.