Peacefully at Blue Water Rest Home, Zurich on Thursday, November 21, 2024 of Zurich in his 81st year. Beloved husband of Catherine (Gingerich) for over 55 years. Dear father of Sonya and Brad Green of Embro, and Steve Shantz of Zurich. Loving grandfather of Christopher, and Kaitlyn. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Douglas and Doreen Shantz of New Hamburg, Richard and Lois Shantz of Arizona, Norma and John Iutzi of New Hamburg, Nancy and Paul Gingerich of Northville, and Mary Ellen and Neil Skinner of B.C. Survived by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Elam and Vera (Ropp) Shantz.
Gerald found joy in a variety of hobbies that kept him active and connected to the outdoors. A true sports enthusiast, he had a deep love for baseball, hockey (Zurich Has-Beans), golfing, hunting, and fishing. You could often find him tending to his beloved vegetable garden, which he took great pride in.
A special thank you to Dr. Hammond and all the Bluewater Rest Home staff for their care and compassion over the years.
Visitation will be held at Haskett Funeral Home 456 Main Street South, EXETER on Thursday, November 28th from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 PM. Gerald’s funeral service will be held at Kingsfield Zurich Mennonite Church, 37818 Zurich Hensall Road, ZURICH on Friday, November 29 at 11 AM. Interment will be held at Zurich Mennonite Cemetery.
Donations to the Mennonite Central Committee, West Huron Care Centre, or the Alzheimer Society of Canada would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Walt Vermunt
Our condolences to Cathy, Sonya, Steve and Families. I have memories of Gerald working on the equipment on our family farm. Hard work, but he got it done and kept us going.
Walt and Brenda Vermunt
Deb (Campbell) Moylan
Cathy and family
My condolences to you all at this difficult time.
Doug Geoffrey
Sending my condolences to all of the Shantz family
Christa Ihrig and Family
Dear Catherine and Family, our sincerest condolences for your loss of your husband/father/grandfather. May you cherish the lovely memories you have and may they offer you the peace and strength for the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Christa, Frank, Liz, Sebastian, Eric, Lauren, Frankie and Harriet Ihrig
Deb(Merner) O'Hagan
Catherine and Family,
The watching of any disease of a loved one is very difficult to watch, and we wonder why him. Life seems to be full of a whole bunch of ups and downs. Gerald is finally over his downs, and Catherine it will take time but you will rebound and remember more & more of the good times. Our condolences to you and your family.
The Merner Girls
Marcy(Ken) & Deb
Bob and Martha Heywood
Catherine and Family
Please accept our deepest condolences .
Trusting God’s perfect peace will be your strength and comfort.
I always enjoyed my encounters with Gerald.
Bob and Martha Heywood
Bob and Nancy Campbell
Cathy and family,
Our condolences to you all. Keeping you in our thoughts snd prayers. Rest in peace Gerald.
Bob and Nancy
Pete Janssen
My first memory of Gerald was in the faceoff circle in the old Zurich arena. He didn’t smile, didn’t banter, and he didn’t lose the draw.
But he wasn’t as tough as the first impression; I am pretty sure I saw him smile after the game was over! Haha!
Catherine, Sonya and Steve, and family, so sorry for your loss.
Gerald will be missed and fondly remembered by his surrounding community.
Pete and Tanya
Lloyd and Carol Moore
Our deepest sympathy Cathy, to you and your family. We have so many good memories together especially Zurich Has Beans hockey tournaments and our trip to Switzerland. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Nancy Brown and Family
Cathy Steve Sonya & Brad and Family
Please accept our heartfelt sadness for your loss. Fortunately we have so many
Fun memories over all the years.
Nancy Brown Jessie, Brad & Julie and Families
Don & Charlene Oesch
Cathy and family
Deepest sympathy in the loss of Gerald. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Don & Charlene
Erich & Cheryl Freiter
Deepest condolences to Cathy and families in this time of your loss.
Mary Lou Erb
My deepest sympathy to you Catherine and your family
Love and Prayers
Mary Lou Erb
Barbara Green
Dear Cathy and Family
So sorry to hear about Gerald and the challenging few years you have endured. Lots of good memories of our younger days with our trips to Arizona. Please come for a visit anytime you are in Stratford. It would be good to reminisce.
Wishing you strength for the days ahead.
With sympathy,
Barb
Tom and Francine Watson
We are so sorry to hear of your husbands passing. Our deepest condolences to you and your family Catherine.
Donna OBrien
Dear Cathy, Steve, Sonya and family,
Sending big hugs to each of you at this time. I know your happy memories will be a blessing to all of you!
Sincerely,Donna
Pauline Miller
Dear Cathy, Sonya, Brad and family, Steve.
My deepest sympathy on the passing of Gerald. May all the memories of the fun, happy and
special times you all shared together help all of you at this very sad and most difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless!
Hugs Pauline Miller
Jean Woodward
Catherine,
Deepest condolences to you and your family.
Jean Woodward.
Gary and Louise Heywood
Sorry to hear of Gerald passing
Martha Clinch
To Catherine and family
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. God gives His strength and comfort to sustain during these times and into the future.
Mark Heimrich
Cathy & family;
My sympathy in the loss of Gerald. I first met Gerald when I was a young teenager (late 70’s) and I served him gas and did some minor auto repairs at Parkin’s & Erb Garage in Zurich for him. We got along fine but he always kept me on my toes! He’d ask questions that I’m sure were just testing my knowledge of what I was doing. A very interesting guy for sure.
You all remain in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Mark (& Julie) Heimrich
William Arthur Gibson
I would like to offer you my deepest condolences as I cut Gerald hair for a lot of years when I had my shop in Hensall. I always enjoyed his visits to the shop as he was such an up beat person and a very hard worker.
Bill Gibson
Deb and Rich Curvelo
Dear Catherine and family,
Our hearts share your sadness. We trust that God will wrap you in His loving arms and carry you when your strength fails. Never easy to lose someone you love!!
All our love to you,
Deb and Rich Curvelo
Andrew and Amy Bedard
Catherine, Steve and family
We were saddened to hear of Gerald’s passing. Please know that our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. We hope you find comfort in the cherished memories you shared and in the support of those around you.
Andrew & Amy Bedard
Sally Desjardine
Cathy, Sonya and family and Steve.
Sending my deepest sympathy to your family. Cherish your wonderful memories.
Sally Desjardine
Sue Wright
Catherine: My deepest and sincere condolences on the loss of husband. May fond memories sustain you.
Sue Wright, Synergy 150 Choir
Myra and George Coene
Ferne H called us to tell of Gerald’s passing. So sorry to hear of that. We have many fond memories of the Patz Equipment dealers. Gerald was always a fun guy whenever all the dealers got together, but he had a serious side to him too. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Cathy, at this difficult time.
Myra and George Coene (Bobcaygeon)
Jeff and Martha
Catherine, Sonya, Steve and family. Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Gerald. I considered Shantzy a friend and I hope the multitude of memories will help to ease everyone’s sorrow.
Sharon Brokenshire
My sincerest condolences to Cathy, Steve, Sonya, Brad and family. Knowing Gerald is now at peace you will cherish your wonderful memories. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Sharon Brokenshire
Reinhard and Maria Gotz
Dear Kathy, we are sorry for your loss.
With sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Reinhard and Maria Gotz
Shelley Bender
So sorry to hear of your loss Cathy. Thinking of you and your family
Shelley Bender
Keith and Susan Semple
Cathy and Family:
Our deepest sympathy to you all on the passing of Gerald.
Treasure all of your beautiful memories.
Ken & Dianne Clarke
Cathy & family, Our deepest sympathies to all in your sad loss of Gerald. Cherish your special memories of times shared with him. May the love & support of family & friends comfort you in the difficult days ahead. Hugs💕
Derrick Martin
Derrick & Jacqueline Martin,
Thinking of of your family & offering our condolences. With the suffering over, now we can celebrate the life that Gerald had & the impact that he had on all of our peoples lives. It was a pleasure to have known him, worked with him (possibly been scolded by him in the early goings!) & shared plenty of good times with him & your family. Rest in peace Gerry!
Derrick (Rev), Jacqueline & family
Jeremy Becker
Sincere condolences to the Family.
Patti and Steve Geoffrey
Dear Cathy , Sonya, Brad & family and Steve
Thinking of you and sending our heartfelt condolences.
Patti and Steve
Laura Overolt
Cathy, Sonya, Brad ,Steve and Grandchildren my deepest sympathy to you all. Knowing
Gerald is now at peace and his struggles over. May it bring you all memories of happy
times spent with family and friends.
RIP Gerald
Laura Overholt and Family
Barbara & Douglas Shephard
Thinking of you, Cathy and family at this time of Gerald‘s passing. Our thoughts are with you.
Merv & Dawne Erb
Dear Cathy, Steve, Sonya and family:
I’ve known Gerald since he was “Beep”. Don’t remember who tied that nickname to him or when or why, but we always called him Beep. He bought my dads’ ’57 Ford, I bought his grade 12 text books. Gerald installed a new stable cleaner for dad in 1963 and a new silo unloader in 1971. We got in a bad accident in 1967 and by the grace of God and angles among us, we all survived. Gerry was a complex guy but believed that life was simple, people just made it complicated. Like Glen & Donna said, he instinctively knew how to do anything. I worked for him part of one summer. He could do both rough and finish carpentry. He was a perfectionist. Measure twice, cut once. He did a bunch of work for me in the winters of 2005-2007. He reminded me on several occasions that he put up 98 sheets of drywall and didn’t have to cut two of them ! He moved 4 sections of scaffold by himself many times and I never knew how. But I did know he was a big fan of Arthrotec. His drywall, seams, corners, sanding, and painting – everything was perfect as was his woodwork and trim and the hardwood flooring. Gerry didn’t suffer fools lightly and he was opinionated but you always knew where he stood. His last job was for me, laying some old reclaimed brick from my old Blake church behind the wood stove in my new shed. Looks like we worked right up to the end. Sure glad we took that trip to Branson, Cathy. We should have hunted more, fished more and relaxed more. But then, life is about surviving….. here’s to you my friend….
Vicki Geoffrey
Sending my deepest sympathy Cathy and Family, may Gerald rest easy now and be at peace. A very long road you have all walked. Take care ❤️
Steve & Deb Overholt
Dear Cathy and family
Thinking of you at this time of loss. Prayers and hugs
Steve & Deb Overholt
Phil & Linda Regier
Dear Cathy & family, our sincere condolences on the passing of Gerald. May God help you to get through the difficult times you have to endure! Our thoughts are with you & your family!
Wayne & Bonnie Keller
Cathy &Family So very sorry to hear of Gerald passing. He has had along struggle with this terrible disease. Know that Wayne &I will have you in our thoughts and prayers.He will now be at peace now. Hugs Bonnie &Wayne
Bob and Carol Johnston
Cathy and Family
Sincere sympathy at this difficult time in your lives.
We are thinking of you
Carol and Bob
Doug & Betty Lynn Eckel
Cathy, Sonya & Brad, and Steve – We are so sorry for your family’s loss. Cherish all of your wonderful memories of Gerald and hold them close. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Ron and Dianne Ducharme
Cathy and Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with
all of you at this very sad time
Dennis and Lorraine Regier
Cathy and Family
Sincere condolences on your loss.
Rest peacefully Gerald.
Jill & Ralph Geiger
Dear Cathy & family,
Sending caring thoughts at your time of loss.
Jill & Ralph
Dianne Jeffrey
Our deepest condolences Cathy and family for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
🙏 🌹❤️
Ervin Steinmann
Thinking of you all with the fondest of memories of our children growing up together., our days at the time working together at the Rest Home as well as the church involvements peace to Cathy ,Sonya and Chappy. Erv and Irla
Nancy-Rae and Bob Lovie
Cathy and Family.
Our deepest condolences to you all at this sad time..Cherish the memories…
Elaine Ducharme
Our sincere condolences on your loss.
George & Elaine Ducharme
Jim Oesch
My condolences and thoughts and prayers for you all
Rob,Brenda Bobbie and Brittany Grenier
Sending our condolences to Cathy ,Steve Sonya ,Brand and grandchildren ,Gerald love his hymns did get a tear when they’d be playing and a smile when we would chat Gerald will be missed hugs too all❤️🙏
Joey & Patty Groot
Cathy, Sonya, Steve & Family,
Thinking of you all at this time as I reminisce about the projects that Gerald assisted with at the Blue Water Rest Home. His expertise, advice and workmanship was always exceptional, and his willingness to help was greatly appreciated!
May you find peace in the fond memories that are shared by many.
Dick and Barb Rau
Cathy, our deepest sympathy to you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers!
Blue Water Rest Home
Sending condolences on behalf of the Residents, Staff and Board at Blue Water Rest Home. You are in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Jodi Weigand
Dear Cath, Sonya, Brad, Steve, Christopher, Kaitlyn – and all of Gerald’s Family,
Some of my most cherished memories have been growing up together. We spent endless hours having an incredible amount of fun! Friday nights watching Dallas and eating Angelo’s pizza, “Looney Tunes” sing-a-longs, playing “Church on the steps,” snowmobiling, dirt bike/bush incidents (where I feared for my life more than once 😳), and all of the crazy shenanigans we got up to, which are too many to name, but have a safe spot tucked away in my heart forever. ❤️
These past few years, I have certainly missed Gerald greeting me with “Well, Jodi Jill!” But I still hear it whenever I think of him, and I look forward to the day when he will greet me that way again. Our parents provided us with an amazing childhood that will hold a lifetime of fabulous memories and a bond that is simply unbreakable. 🙏
Love you.
Jodi and Mark ❤️
Kevin Currah
Our condolences to the family at this time. Sorry for your loss. Sadly missed from The Oliver Hunt Camp…(Bubba)
Dave Frayne and Cathy Cade
To Catherine and family
Sorry to learn of Gerald ‘s passing. Enjoyed my talks with him over the years. He will be missed.
Our condolences to all.
Cheryl Borrows
To Catherine,your children, grandchildren and your Shantz and Gingerich brothers and sisters.
So sorry to hear of Gerald’s passing. Cherish the good memories and know he is at peace.
Sending our heartfelt condolences.
Hugs Cheryl and Ken Borrows
Marlene A Matheson
Dear Sonya, Brad, Christopher and Kaitlyn,
Caring thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow.
May the happiness you all shared be warmly remembered –
and may those memories help to ease the pain of your loss.
With sincere sympathy to you and your family
Bill & Marlene Matheson
Kevin and Andrea Bowman
Dear Catherine;
We send you and the family condolences at this time of loss. We are glad to have had Gerald as a friend for so many years. Going to visit him recently when in Zurich was cause for a sense of helplessness with a saddened heart. We are glad for the memories of the vibrant man he was. His accomplishments were so very many.
Ann Brabender
Kathy and family- my deepest sympathy at this time of loss. Cherish the good memories.
Joyce Morgan
So sorry to hear of Gerald’s passing. My condolences are with you at this time. Hugs
Bob & Jean McRoberts
Sonya, Brad & family
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your father, Sonya.
Our thoughts are with you all.
Hugs
Bob & Jean McRoberts
Ettie Ramsay
Dear Catherine and family, my deepest condolences on the loss of your dear husband, father and grandfather. Wishing you comfort and peace at this sad time.
Becky and Eugene Bender
When we were much younger our family would visit back and forth frequently. My bothers and. I were close friends of Doug and Gerald. We enjoyed playing our version of hockey on the farm pond. Becky and I offer our sincere sympathy to you, Cathy.
Gene
Joan Heywood
Catherine and family:
So sorry to read of Gerald’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone. Cherish all the wonderful memories. Hugs Joan
Chuck & Tanya Erb
Dear Cathy, Sonya, Brad, Christopher, Kaitlyn and Steve,
We send our sincere condolences to each of one of you. We have been friends for more years than I can remember! Our children grew up together, and we enjoyed many many fun times together, usually on a Friday night, enjoying Angelo’s pizza.
Gerald was a gifted individual, capable of building or constructing anything. He did many renovation projects in our home. The last few years have been very unkind to him, but we are Thankful you are now at perfect peace. Until we meet again. Love & Prayers Chuck & Tanya
Faye Skinner
Cathy and family:
Thinking of you at this time and praying you will find comfort being with family and friends.
Kerri Gingerich
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve. May you have peace and feel God’s presence in this time.
Brenda &Garry Koehler
Cathy Steve Sonya Brad and family sorry for your loss cherish the fond memories of Gerald in the coming days
Merners
Catherine,Steve,Sonya and family,you are in our thoughts and prayers at the passing of our long time friend Gerald.Our family’s have enjoyed many wonderful memories together that will last a lifetime.Fun times playing hockey baseball golf hunting and skating competitions which gave us years of friendship. Pip Tootie and family.
Richard & Brenda
Cathy, Steve, Sonya, Brad & family
So sorry for your loss. Keeping you in our thoughts & prayers during the difficult days ahead
George Watson
Catherine and your family, and Shantz relatives sorry to hear of Geralds passing.
Gearld and I were in the same grade at SS – # 6 school and Gearld loved drawing pictures of gravel trucks like his Dads.
May pass memories help you all through this time.
Brad & Anne Mousseau
Cathy & family. Sending heartfelt condolences in Gerald’s passing. Wishing you God’s strength & comfort in the days ahead.
Dorothy Kay
Catherine, I am so very sorry to hear about Gerald’s passing. I’m sending you hugs and strength to get through the coming days. Enjoy the happy memories and may they bring you comfort and peace. ♥️
With warm thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt sympathy,
Dorothy Kay (Farwell)
Linda Hollands
Dearest Catherine and family; Ken and I are thinking of you and holding you in our hearts. Gerald was my favourite cousin ❤️. We had a special bond and it gives us peace that he is no longer suffering .
Linda Hollands
Dearest Catherine and family; Ken and I are thinking of you and holding you in our hearts. Gerald was my favourite cousin ❤️. We had a special bond and it gives us peace that he is no longer suffering .
Dwight Bender
Gerald’s journey in this world has ended but his spirit will live on forever in my mind. He was truly a great friend to me. I will be away from home on Thursday and will not be able to attend either the visitation or the memorial service, unfortunately. Both Karen and I offer our sincere condolences to Catherine in particular and to the whole family.
Tony /Marlene Bedard.
To you Cathy and all your family..we are so sorry for your loss. We remem.so many fun times withyou guys… Especially when we went west to Edmonton hooked up with your sis…and hubby.. Good mems. !!! Hold tight to your memes… that is what will get you thru. this tough time.!!!!..Hugs !!!
Joe and Marilyn Kenda
Cathy and Family,
Sincere condolences in the the loss of your dear Husband, Father and Grandfather. Had many good times during our hockey time with the Hasbeans. Know that our prayers and thoughts will be with you during this difficult time. 🙏🏻💕
Flora MacKellar
Catherine and family
Gerald is at peace, which is a blessing. Remember the good times in the days going forward.
Flora
Doug and Joyce McBeath
Our sympathy to you Catharine, Sonya,Brad, Christopher and Kaitlyn and Steve on your loss. We have so many memories of our time with Gerald. Years on the Bean Festival Committee, Has Beans Tournaments, trips to St Jacobs Market and Heidelberg’s, Pelee Island, Shawanigan and Alaska, his carpentry skills at the Zurich and Hensall funeral home, Varna house and the house we live in now. Doug spent many hours helping Gerry with his projects but our best memories are sitting around the campfire reminiscing. RIP Gerald
Audrey and Mel Melick
Catherine and family,
We are sorry to hear of your loss and yet Gerald is no longer suffering the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s. May God give you peace and comfort as you remember many good times you have had as a family.
John and Charmaine Gibbons
Our sincere sympathy to you and family at this difficult time
C & G Gascho
Our condolences Catherine & family on the passing of Gerald. Glenn has great memories of working for Gerald and also playing hockey & baseball with him. May faith, family & friends along with your memories bring you comfort. ❤️🙏 Carol & Glenn
Barb Cook and Mike Tieman
Cathy and Family – Sincere sympathy – You are in our thoughts and prayers. Barb and Mike
Glen and Donna Greb
Dear Catherine, Sonya and family and Steve, Glen and I wish to express our heartfelt condolences at this sad time. Gerald spent quite a bit of time here through the years doing general construction jobs,,,,,anywheres from carpentry,, plumbing or electrical. He seemed to know how to do it all. May each one of you experience peace and strength in the days ahead. Sincerely your Babylon Line neighbours,,,,,Glen and Donna Greb
Carolyn
Catherine and Family
Sending our deepest condolences Catherine. Cherish all those fond memories close to your heart.
Carolyn
Jessica
Hearing Life Exeter