Carol Ann Gantz

     Carol Gantz
     A much-loved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, Carol Gantz, 81, of Sumner, Michigan, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Country Friends Assisted Living Center, in Sumner. 
      Carol was born on May 19, 1944, in Sumner, MI, and resided there for most of her life. She is survived by her son Kevin Gantz (Teressa Yordy) of Sumner, Michigan; her son Daren Gantz and wife Hildy of Belmont, Michigan; her grandson Brad Gantz of Rockford, Michigan; grandson Ryan Gantz (Lillian Abell) of St. Louis, Michigan; granddaughter Morgan Lippert and her husband Jayde of South Bend, Indiana; granddaughter Kaitlyn Johnson and her husband Eric of Munster, Indiana; granddaughter Courtney Sieracki and husband Cody of Jacksonville, North Carolina; and granddaughter Lauren Gantz (Spencer Andrus) of Grand Rapids, Michigan; one brother Stan Holton; her sisters-in-law: Shirley Gantz and Cathy Holton; her great-grandsons: Jackson, Liam, Carter, Cooper, Jude, and Theodore; great-granddaughters: Cassidy, Genevieve, Scarlet, and Cambrie; and many treasured nieces, nephews, and cousins.
      Carol was preceded in death by her husband Roger, parents Russell and Bertha (Miller) Holton, her brothers: Lonnie Holton and Max Holton; sister Berniece Denslow; mother-and father-in-law Harley and Neva (Wilkinson) Gantz, sisters-in-law: Shirley Gantz Litwiller, Patricia Gantz Miller, Joan Gantz Martin, and Rose Smith, brothers-in-law: Alden Denslow, Stuart Gantz, Bill Gantz, Don Martin, Evan Litwiller, and Frank Miller.
     Carol met Roger, the love of her life, at a dance in Sumner while attending Alma High School. They were married in Sumner on October 5, 1963, and relocated to Sumner after spending several years residing in Hastings, Michigan. Carol retired from Ithaca Public Schools after many years of service as a parapro. Carol was loved by her students and staff for her kindness and sense of humor.
     Carol’s greatest love was spending time with family and friends. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, and cousins meant everything to her, and she thoroughly enjoyed attending all of the family gatherings that were held over the years. She especially liked attending her sons’ athletic events as well as her grandchildren’s events. She was their biggest cheerleader. Carol and Roger loved classic rock and roll music and collected vintage automobiles. They developed many great friendships with other classic car collectors and enjoyed going to car shows and cruise-ins all over Michigan, and several other states.
     A Celebration of Life will be held at the Fred E. Richards VFW Post #3055, 1295 West Monroe Road St. Louis, Michigan 48880, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 12:00-3:00 P.M. 
      Memorials may be made to The Care Team Hospice, 5401 Gateway Center Suite D, Flint, MI 48507. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.