Tributes

Edgar F. “Mr. Ed” Lantzer, 77, of Petoskey and formally of Kalkaska, succumbed to cancer and passed from this life, in his sleep, at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, December 29, 2009. Mr. Lantzer had been bravely fighting cancer for several years. Born on February 12, 1932 in Kalkaska, he was the son of the late Ervin and Ruby (Bennett) Lantzer.Ed Lantzer is the artist in marquetry whose unique work – 120 linier feet of four-by-eight, wood mosaic panels, depicting images from the life of Christ—had been on display at the Ed Lantzer Gallery on Mitchell Street in Petoskey for the past eighteen months. The “panels” are currently placed on display in the Washington Square Mall of Evansville, Indiana where more than 20,000 visitors have enjoyed Ed’s work since they left Petoskey on the 14th of October.Last week, Evansville Mayor, Jonathan Weinsapfel and a local television crew descended on Washington Square Mall to proclaim December 17th , Ed Lantzer Day in Evansville, respecting the positive spiritual impace the artist’s work has had on the lives of its citizens. Ed returned to Petoskey to spend his last days with friends. The panels will soon follow.Ed married Jean Hulbert on Aug 22, 1950. Their children are, Donna (Ronald) VanderHulst, LeeRoy (Diane), MaryEllen (Ron) Pereira, Shirley Triplett, Catherine (Paul) Kissling, Patricia (Dean) Little, John (Amy) and Amy Jo (Clifford) Graves; 21 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Blanche Hogerheide, June Brunette, Mary Heinzelman and Delores Rainey; several nieces and nephews; long time friends, Lon and Sandra Husbands; and dear friends on the board of Ed’s foundation, “My Fathers Love”.Ed was preceded in death by his daughter, Jean Yvonne; his son-in-law, Vic Triplett; and his brother, Irvin.Visitation will be on Saturday, January 2nd from 5:00 until 8:00 pm at Wolfe-O’Neill Funeral Home in Kalkaska. The funeral service is on Sunday at 3:00 pm also at the funeral home. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery.Plans are in place to celebrate Ed’s life at the gallery in Evansville, Indiana on January 9, 2010. The Board of Directors of My Father’s Love Foundation will organize a similar celebration in Petoskey, later in January.Those who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution in memory of Ed Lantzer to the Foundation’s efforts to continue to tour My Father’s Love exhibit may do so by designating their contributions to My Father’s Love Foundation, PO Box 114, Elk Rapids, MI 49629 or by visiting the website at www.myfatherslove.info.Arrangements were made by Wolfe-O’Neill Funeral Home, our family serving yours.

Tributes

Edgar F. Lantzer

February 12, 1932 - December 29, 2009