Stephen
Stephen Kantz
Stephen M. Kantz of Plainwell passed away Thursday, April 25, 2013, at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids. Steve was born August 29, 1941 in Royal Oak to Floyd and Betty (Michael) Kantz .He grew up in Williamsburg, MI. Steve graduated from Michigan State University and Wayne State University Law School. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War era. In 1970 he started practicing law in Allegan with Leo Hoffman.
In 1973 he opened his own office in a double wide on the point of Jefferson and Lincoln Roads. In his spare time from practicing law, he built the brick building that still stands on that corner. He retired in 2006. Steve truly enjoyed working with people in Otsego, Plainwell and surrounding communities in Allegan county. He called himself a ‘Country Lawyer’. Steve loved power boating on Lake Michigan. He was a charter member of Deep Harbor Marina. His boat was named The Law Merchant. Steve and Sandy enjoyed many friendships and comraderie at the marina. He was a member of the Allegan County Bar Association during his years of practicing law. Steve ate dinner at the Elks Club on Wednesday nights where he had been a member since the 1970’s. While a teenager, he became an amateur radio club member with a squawking noise going on late into the night. There’s a ‘Radio Room’ still at home at Lake Doster. Steve joined the Kazooski Ski club in the 1970’s. He and Sandy enjoyed many friendships and trips to Bittersweet, up north, Utah and Nevada. In the last few years, Steve enjoyed playing cards in the Allegan County Bridge Club. Also in the 1970’s, he played tennis at West Hills Athletic club. Steve played championship tennis at Traverse City High School. Other former memberships include Otsego Rotary Club and Otsego Chamber of Commerce.
On June 24, 1990 on their boat in the cove at Saugatuck, Steve married Sandra ‘Sandy’ Adams (Anderson) who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Rochelle (Tim) Gargus of South Haven; 3 grandchildren, Madison, Bryce and Harrison; a step-son Michael (Laura) Adams of Chicago; an adopted son, Christopher (Sara) Dent of Georgia; a sister, Nancy (Paul) Deal of Texas; a brother, Dennis (Dawn) Kantz of North Carolina; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a twin brother. Cremation has taken place.
Friends may meet with his family at the
Winkel Funeral Home
, Otsego, on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 from 10:00am until 11:00am when a memorial service will be held with Rev. Daniel Facemyer officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation or the Heart Association.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.
WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Stephen Kantz
Condolence Messages
Karen M. Allen
April 28, 2013 at 12:39 pm
I met Steve at the Kalamazoo Bridge Center. I was a total beginner. The first time we partnered, I trumped his winning ace, and he laughed. He even partnered with me again! He always had a smile for everyone. I am thankful he was part of my life.
Reply
Andy Marks & Kathy Fletcher-Marks
April 28, 2013 at 4:31 pm
So sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. We shared several legal cases and I always admired his legal skills. His sense of humor will be greatly missed. While I had not seen him in the past two years, I knew he was facing medical issues with Sandy at his side and we all were optimistic that those issues would be overcome and many years would follow. I knew Steve for 30 years and will remember him fondly and share stories of some of his legal exploits for years to come, I am sure.
Andy Marks
Reply
Tom Jacobs
April 28, 2013 at 8:50 pm
Sandy,
So very sorry to learn of Steve’s passing. Our sincere condolences.
Kaye and Tom
Reply
Jean Long and Alexis Ware
April 28, 2013 at 10:14 pm
Sandy and Family,
I am so sorry to learn of Steve’s passing. Even though we have not known Steve very long we have found him to be a wonderful person. Please know that are thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Sincerely,
Jean Long and Alexis Ware
Reply
Tim and Marcia Quigley
April 29, 2013 at 8:06 am
Dear Sandy and Family,
Steve will be missed so much! We enjoyed waiting on him when he came into the Elks! He always asked me about my family, my kids, how were they doing. Usually I would tell him everything was fine because I had not heard from anyone that day! He would get a good laugh from that! I am so greatful to him because he helped my kids out more than once during their teen years. He was the best lawyer around! I think many people nicknamed him the “Bulldog” because his presence and demeanour in court was awesome! Please know that he is now an Angel in Heaven watching over you!
Reply
Coleen Philley
April 29, 2013 at 11:08 am
So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Kantz. I began my career as a legal secretary in his office. He was a wonderful man and attorney. Coleen Burrell Philley
Reply
Judge Kevin Cronin
April 29, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Steve Kantz was a lion in the Allegan County legal system for many years and he was one of the most effective cross-examiners I’ve ever witnessed in any local or federal courtroom. A very smart fella, he also had a delightful wit and sense of humor. I’ve been trying to emulate the skills he displayed for decades, but only rarely achieved his level of proficiency. I most appreciated Streve’s willingness to teach younger attorneys “the ropes” and his fearless determination to confront judicial overreaching.
Reply
Russ DeMott
April 29, 2013 at 2:14 pm
I am sad to hear of Steve’s passing. I knew him as a fellow member of the Allegan County Bar Association.
My condolences to his wife and family. I have many fond memories of Steve and wish the family the best through this difficult time.
Reply
Jason and Jessica Byrd
April 29, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Our family was sadden to learn of Steve’s passing. In the short time that we have known Steve we always found him to be a man of great integrity. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Sandy and his family in their time of grief.
Reply
Ron Hoover
April 29, 2013 at 7:03 pm
The Kantzes,Steve and Sandy and the Hoover family have had a very caring,ongoing, relationship since they took up residence ,two doors away,on Upper Bayview Lane,at Lake Doster.
Steve’s professional colleagues saw him as a Lion in the courtroom.I saw him as a person with “An Unsurmountable Will to Win”in a fight for life in which all the odds were stacked against him and he never gave up.
May God Bless His Soul.
Reply
A. Smith
April 29, 2013 at 9:47 pm
Sending my warmest condolences to the Kantz Family. I’m so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know him personally, but I see that he was loved. The Bible holds out a beautiful hope at Revelation 21:4 where it speaks of “God wiping away tears”, doing away with “death, and outcry, pain and mourning being no more”. Let us not forget the beautiful account about Lazarus and the miracle performed by Jesus, as recorded in the Bible at John 11:24-27. Please continue drawing close to our Almighty God Jehovah in prayer, and His word promises that “He himself will sustain you” – Psalm 55:22
Reply
Antoon&Lieve Brusselmans
April 30, 2013 at 9:24 am
We want to express our most sincere sympathy in the loss of Steve Kantz. We remember him as a man of integrity and great courage. We do appreciate his sense of humor as we enjoyed playing euchre with Steve and Sandy in our neighborhood. Our hearts go out to Sandy and the family during this time of great loss. May God bless you all.
Reply
Amber @ Hospice
May 1, 2013 at 9:05 am
Rochelle and Family:
Im sorry to hear about your dad. The family story about your dad was wonderful. You are in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Reply
Fred and Carol Anderson
May 1, 2013 at 10:00 am
Carol and I express our sincere condolences to Sandy and Steve’s family. He and I have been friends and colleagues in the law for 40 years. We have spent many hours discussing the law, family and one of his favorite topics, politics. He will never be forgotten and will be dearly missed.
Reply
Gerald and Regina Stein
May 4, 2013 at 8:59 am
Like Karen Allen, we both met and played bridge with Steve at the Kalamazoo Bridge Center. Always a gentleman, Steve will be missed by our bridge community.
Reply
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In 1973 he opened his own office in a double wide on the point of Jefferson and Lincoln Roads. In his spare time from practicing law, he built the brick building that still stands on that corner. He retired in 2006. Steve truly enjoyed working with people in Otsego, Plainwell and surrounding communities in Allegan county. He called himself a ‘Country Lawyer’. Steve loved power boating on Lake Michigan. He was a charter member of Deep Harbor Marina. His boat was named The Law Merchant. Steve and Sandy enjoyed many friendships and comraderie at the marina. He was a member of the Allegan County Bar Association during his years of practicing law. Steve ate dinner at the Elks Club on Wednesday nights where he had been a member since the 1970’s. While a teenager, he became an amateur radio club member with a squawking noise going on late into the night. There’s a ‘Radio Room’ still at home at Lake Doster. Steve joined the Kazooski Ski club in the 1970’s. He and Sandy enjoyed many friendships and trips to Bittersweet, up north, Utah and Nevada. In the last few years, Steve enjoyed playing cards in the Allegan County Bridge Club. Also in the 1970’s, he played tennis at West Hills Athletic club. Steve played championship tennis at Traverse City High School. Other former memberships include Otsego Rotary Club and Otsego Chamber of Commerce.
On June 24, 1990 on their boat in the cove at Saugatuck, Steve married Sandra ‘Sandy’ Adams (Anderson) who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Rochelle (Tim) Gargus of South Haven; 3 grandchildren, Madison, Bryce and Harrison; a step-son Michael (Laura) Adams of Chicago; an adopted son, Christopher (Sara) Dent of Georgia; a sister, Nancy (Paul) Deal of Texas; a brother, Dennis (Dawn) Kantz of North Carolina; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a twin brother. Cremation has taken place.
Friends may meet with his family at the
Winkel Funeral Home
, Otsego, on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 from 10:00am until 11:00am when a memorial service will be held with Rev. Daniel Facemyer officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation or the Heart Association.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.
WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Stephen Kantz
Condolence Messages
Karen M. Allen
April 28, 2013 at 12:39 pm
I met Steve at the Kalamazoo Bridge Center. I was a total beginner. The first time we partnered, I trumped his winning ace, and he laughed. He even partnered with me again! He always had a smile for everyone. I am thankful he was part of my life.
Reply
Andy Marks & Kathy Fletcher-Marks
April 28, 2013 at 4:31 pm
So sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. We shared several legal cases and I always admired his legal skills. His sense of humor will be greatly missed. While I had not seen him in the past two years, I knew he was facing medical issues with Sandy at his side and we all were optimistic that those issues would be overcome and many years would follow. I knew Steve for 30 years and will remember him fondly and share stories of some of his legal exploits for years to come, I am sure.
Andy Marks
Reply
Tom Jacobs
April 28, 2013 at 8:50 pm
Sandy,
So very sorry to learn of Steve’s passing. Our sincere condolences.
Kaye and Tom
Reply
Jean Long and Alexis Ware
April 28, 2013 at 10:14 pm
Sandy and Family,
I am so sorry to learn of Steve’s passing. Even though we have not known Steve very long we have found him to be a wonderful person. Please know that are thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Sincerely,
Jean Long and Alexis Ware
Reply
Tim and Marcia Quigley
April 29, 2013 at 8:06 am
Dear Sandy and Family,
Steve will be missed so much! We enjoyed waiting on him when he came into the Elks! He always asked me about my family, my kids, how were they doing. Usually I would tell him everything was fine because I had not heard from anyone that day! He would get a good laugh from that! I am so greatful to him because he helped my kids out more than once during their teen years. He was the best lawyer around! I think many people nicknamed him the “Bulldog” because his presence and demeanour in court was awesome! Please know that he is now an Angel in Heaven watching over you!
Reply
Coleen Philley
April 29, 2013 at 11:08 am
So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Kantz. I began my career as a legal secretary in his office. He was a wonderful man and attorney. Coleen Burrell Philley
Reply
Judge Kevin Cronin
April 29, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Steve Kantz was a lion in the Allegan County legal system for many years and he was one of the most effective cross-examiners I’ve ever witnessed in any local or federal courtroom. A very smart fella, he also had a delightful wit and sense of humor. I’ve been trying to emulate the skills he displayed for decades, but only rarely achieved his level of proficiency. I most appreciated Streve’s willingness to teach younger attorneys “the ropes” and his fearless determination to confront judicial overreaching.
Reply
Russ DeMott
April 29, 2013 at 2:14 pm
I am sad to hear of Steve’s passing. I knew him as a fellow member of the Allegan County Bar Association.
My condolences to his wife and family. I have many fond memories of Steve and wish the family the best through this difficult time.
Reply
Jason and Jessica Byrd
April 29, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Our family was sadden to learn of Steve’s passing. In the short time that we have known Steve we always found him to be a man of great integrity. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Sandy and his family in their time of grief.
Reply
Ron Hoover
April 29, 2013 at 7:03 pm
The Kantzes,Steve and Sandy and the Hoover family have had a very caring,ongoing, relationship since they took up residence ,two doors away,on Upper Bayview Lane,at Lake Doster.
Steve’s professional colleagues saw him as a Lion in the courtroom.I saw him as a person with “An Unsurmountable Will to Win”in a fight for life in which all the odds were stacked against him and he never gave up.
May God Bless His Soul.
Reply
A. Smith
April 29, 2013 at 9:47 pm
Sending my warmest condolences to the Kantz Family. I’m so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know him personally, but I see that he was loved. The Bible holds out a beautiful hope at Revelation 21:4 where it speaks of “God wiping away tears”, doing away with “death, and outcry, pain and mourning being no more”. Let us not forget the beautiful account about Lazarus and the miracle performed by Jesus, as recorded in the Bible at John 11:24-27. Please continue drawing close to our Almighty God Jehovah in prayer, and His word promises that “He himself will sustain you” – Psalm 55:22
Reply
Antoon&Lieve Brusselmans
April 30, 2013 at 9:24 am
We want to express our most sincere sympathy in the loss of Steve Kantz. We remember him as a man of integrity and great courage. We do appreciate his sense of humor as we enjoyed playing euchre with Steve and Sandy in our neighborhood. Our hearts go out to Sandy and the family during this time of great loss. May God bless you all.
Reply
Amber @ Hospice
May 1, 2013 at 9:05 am
Rochelle and Family:
Im sorry to hear about your dad. The family story about your dad was wonderful. You are in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Reply
Fred and Carol Anderson
May 1, 2013 at 10:00 am
Carol and I express our sincere condolences to Sandy and Steve’s family. He and I have been friends and colleagues in the law for 40 years. We have spent many hours discussing the law, family and one of his favorite topics, politics. He will never be forgotten and will be dearly missed.
Reply
Gerald and Regina Stein
May 4, 2013 at 8:59 am
Like Karen Allen, we both met and played bridge with Steve at the Kalamazoo Bridge Center. Always a gentleman, Steve will be missed by our bridge community.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
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Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
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How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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