Gordon
Gordon A. Rantz
Gordon passed away, Monday, October 30, 2023, at his home in Plainwell, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born January 12, 1934 in Comstock, the son of Gerald and Adelaide (Janke) Rantz. Gordon proudly served his country in the 101
st
Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. For many years Gordon worked around the clock as the owner and operator of Timber Ridge Ski Area.
He loved spending his days and usually his nights doing whatever needed to be done to make things run smooth. Although he loved to work, Gordon was happiest when spending his down time surrounded by his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On New Year’s Day in 1956 at the Plainwell Methodist Church he married Mary Jane Robinson who survives.
Also surviving are his children, David (Linda) Rantz and Amy (Luke) Schrab; 5 grandchildren, Megan (Jeff) Gose, Stephanie (Kyle) Koster, Jill (David) Jackson, Lauren Fuller and Alyssa Fuller; 6 great-grandchildren with another due soon; brother, Roger (Joanne) Rantz along with many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Gene, Charlotte and Delores.
According to his wishes cremation has taken place.
A celebration of Gordon’s life will be held in the spring.
Contributions in memory of Gordon may be made to
Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Gordon A. Rantz
Condolence Messages
Mary Schuiteboer
October 31, 2023 at 8:37 pm
Steve and I extend our deepest sympathy to the entire family. We send prayers of comfort and peace. You all have wonderful memories to hold in your hearts. Steve and Mary Schuiteboer
Reply
Tom and Mary Fischer
November 1, 2023 at 11:14 am
The loss of Gordy is a loss to many He touched so many thru his dedication to wintergun and happiness to many families andalllocal ski enthusiasts My heart goes out to Gordies family
Tom,Mary,Caillin , Courtney Fischer.
Reply
Susan knapp
November 1, 2023 at 11:52 am
Dave sorry for your loss ♥️
Reply
Harold Steffey
November 1, 2023 at 2:13 pm
Sorry for your loss, Dave
Reply
Mrs. Jim Hewitt (Patti Khodl former nurse at Pipp)
November 1, 2023 at 7:45 pm
To the family,
May cherished memories bring you moments of comfort.
(For Dave, I do not know the other members of your family, but I can’t help but notice the strong resemblance you have of your dad.) Am sure he was always very proud of you and how you serve others.
Reply
Shirley Brown
November 1, 2023 at 9:01 pm
Dave, Linda and family so sorry to hear of your loss. Your in my thoughts and prays. Shirley Brown
Reply
Carolyn Jordan (Class of 1977)
November 2, 2023 at 1:16 am
My prayers are being lifted up for you all.
Reply
Sandy Scott
November 2, 2023 at 2:37 pm
Mary Jane & Family, I am so sorry you have lost your Husband & Father. He is home now with his Father. I still think about the funny times we had at the credit union when you worked there. No one else has ever called me to come in to deposit because I was going to bounce a check. Take care. My thoughts & prayers are with you. Sandy (Town) Scott
Reply
Bill and Karen
November 2, 2023 at 5:32 pm
Dave, Linda and the entire Rantz family… Our deepest sympathies at your loss. We’re thinking of you and holding you in our hearts at this sad time. Love, Bill and Karen
Reply
Tony Shumaker
November 2, 2023 at 5:43 pm
Prayers for your family Peachy.
Reply
Bob Pickett
November 2, 2023 at 7:12 pm
Dave and Rantz family so sorry for your loss.
Reply
Tony & Amy Predum
November 2, 2023 at 7:20 pm
Our condolences to the entire family, So sorry for your loss.
Reply
Brian & Laura Arehart
November 3, 2023 at 8:29 am
Dave and family, sorry to hear of Gordon’s passing.
Reply
Jerry and Marilyn Fenner
November 3, 2023 at 4:41 pm
Mary Jane and Family. Sorry to hear of your loss. Gordy was a very talented man. We were classmates at PHS class of 1952 and I shared a birthday date with Gordy 1/ 12 /193 4.
Reply
William Wittliff Sr
November 3, 2023 at 5:32 pm
He was tough as nails but also the kindest and most gentle man you could ever meet. We will all deeply miss him. My sincerest sympathies to Mary Jane, Amy, Dave, and family. I love you all.
Reply
Deborah Pedersen
November 3, 2023 at 8:35 pm
Dave, Linda and your family, We are sorry for your loss. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Joe and Debbie
Reply
Lisa Rasnake
November 6, 2023 at 4:57 pm
My deepest condolences to the entire Rantz family. Gordy was an amazing man . You all are in my prayers ❤️
Reply
Frank Post
November 6, 2023 at 5:10 pm
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gordon Rantz. I hope that the cherished memories of his life bring comfort and solace during this difficult time.
Reply
Thomas Davidson
November 6, 2023 at 5:26 pm
My sincere condolences to the whole Rantz family. Rest easy Gord, thank you for creating one of my favorite places to spend time with friends and family.
With love and respect,
Thom
Reply
Krissa Kirby
November 6, 2023 at 6:11 pm
Keeping the Rantz family in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Wishing you all hope and healing as you mourn the loss of such an epic man. RIP Gordon!
Reply
Harrison
November 6, 2023 at 7:45 pm
Deepest sympathy to the Rantz family.
Ritch and Sue Harrison
Reply
Toni (Ellard) Moore
November 6, 2023 at 8:13 pm
MaryJane,David,Amy my sincere condolences in the passing of a wonderful husband and father. May your memories bring you peace and comfort in the days to come.
Reply
Frank & Pat Perry Family
November 6, 2023 at 11:04 pm
Sincere Condolences to David,Amy , Mary Jane and Family many good memories for me and my Family at the Ridge, Thanks Gordy RIP
Reply
Vickilee Danhoff Miller
November 8, 2023 at 8:20 am
Sorry to hear of this loss for the Rantz family and the whole Plainwell community. Many memories were made at Timber Ridge!
Reply
David Rantz
November 19, 2023 at 10:56 pm
To everyone that sent in a condolence to our family it absolutely means the world to us thank you from the bottom of our hearts we love you all. Dave R.
Reply
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He was born January 12, 1934 in Comstock, the son of Gerald and Adelaide (Janke) Rantz. Gordon proudly served his country in the 101
st
Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. For many years Gordon worked around the clock as the owner and operator of Timber Ridge Ski Area.
He loved spending his days and usually his nights doing whatever needed to be done to make things run smooth. Although he loved to work, Gordon was happiest when spending his down time surrounded by his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On New Year’s Day in 1956 at the Plainwell Methodist Church he married Mary Jane Robinson who survives.
Also surviving are his children, David (Linda) Rantz and Amy (Luke) Schrab; 5 grandchildren, Megan (Jeff) Gose, Stephanie (Kyle) Koster, Jill (David) Jackson, Lauren Fuller and Alyssa Fuller; 6 great-grandchildren with another due soon; brother, Roger (Joanne) Rantz along with many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Gene, Charlotte and Delores.
According to his wishes cremation has taken place.
A celebration of Gordon’s life will be held in the spring.
Contributions in memory of Gordon may be made to
Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Gordon A. Rantz
Condolence Messages
Mary Schuiteboer
October 31, 2023 at 8:37 pm
Steve and I extend our deepest sympathy to the entire family. We send prayers of comfort and peace. You all have wonderful memories to hold in your hearts. Steve and Mary Schuiteboer
Reply
Tom and Mary Fischer
November 1, 2023 at 11:14 am
The loss of Gordy is a loss to many He touched so many thru his dedication to wintergun and happiness to many families andalllocal ski enthusiasts My heart goes out to Gordies family
Tom,Mary,Caillin , Courtney Fischer.
Reply
Susan knapp
November 1, 2023 at 11:52 am
Dave sorry for your loss ♥️
Reply
Harold Steffey
November 1, 2023 at 2:13 pm
Sorry for your loss, Dave
Reply
Mrs. Jim Hewitt (Patti Khodl former nurse at Pipp)
November 1, 2023 at 7:45 pm
To the family,
May cherished memories bring you moments of comfort.
(For Dave, I do not know the other members of your family, but I can’t help but notice the strong resemblance you have of your dad.) Am sure he was always very proud of you and how you serve others.
Reply
Shirley Brown
November 1, 2023 at 9:01 pm
Dave, Linda and family so sorry to hear of your loss. Your in my thoughts and prays. Shirley Brown
Reply
Carolyn Jordan (Class of 1977)
November 2, 2023 at 1:16 am
My prayers are being lifted up for you all.
Reply
Sandy Scott
November 2, 2023 at 2:37 pm
Mary Jane & Family, I am so sorry you have lost your Husband & Father. He is home now with his Father. I still think about the funny times we had at the credit union when you worked there. No one else has ever called me to come in to deposit because I was going to bounce a check. Take care. My thoughts & prayers are with you. Sandy (Town) Scott
Reply
Bill and Karen
November 2, 2023 at 5:32 pm
Dave, Linda and the entire Rantz family… Our deepest sympathies at your loss. We’re thinking of you and holding you in our hearts at this sad time. Love, Bill and Karen
Reply
Tony Shumaker
November 2, 2023 at 5:43 pm
Prayers for your family Peachy.
Reply
Bob Pickett
November 2, 2023 at 7:12 pm
Dave and Rantz family so sorry for your loss.
Reply
Tony & Amy Predum
November 2, 2023 at 7:20 pm
Our condolences to the entire family, So sorry for your loss.
Reply
Brian & Laura Arehart
November 3, 2023 at 8:29 am
Dave and family, sorry to hear of Gordon’s passing.
Reply
Jerry and Marilyn Fenner
November 3, 2023 at 4:41 pm
Mary Jane and Family. Sorry to hear of your loss. Gordy was a very talented man. We were classmates at PHS class of 1952 and I shared a birthday date with Gordy 1/ 12 /193 4.
Reply
William Wittliff Sr
November 3, 2023 at 5:32 pm
He was tough as nails but also the kindest and most gentle man you could ever meet. We will all deeply miss him. My sincerest sympathies to Mary Jane, Amy, Dave, and family. I love you all.
Reply
Deborah Pedersen
November 3, 2023 at 8:35 pm
Dave, Linda and your family, We are sorry for your loss. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Joe and Debbie
Reply
Lisa Rasnake
November 6, 2023 at 4:57 pm
My deepest condolences to the entire Rantz family. Gordy was an amazing man . You all are in my prayers ❤️
Reply
Frank Post
November 6, 2023 at 5:10 pm
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gordon Rantz. I hope that the cherished memories of his life bring comfort and solace during this difficult time.
Reply
Thomas Davidson
November 6, 2023 at 5:26 pm
My sincere condolences to the whole Rantz family. Rest easy Gord, thank you for creating one of my favorite places to spend time with friends and family.
With love and respect,
Thom
Reply
Krissa Kirby
November 6, 2023 at 6:11 pm
Keeping the Rantz family in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Wishing you all hope and healing as you mourn the loss of such an epic man. RIP Gordon!
Reply
Harrison
November 6, 2023 at 7:45 pm
Deepest sympathy to the Rantz family.
Ritch and Sue Harrison
Reply
Toni (Ellard) Moore
November 6, 2023 at 8:13 pm
MaryJane,David,Amy my sincere condolences in the passing of a wonderful husband and father. May your memories bring you peace and comfort in the days to come.
Reply
Frank & Pat Perry Family
November 6, 2023 at 11:04 pm
Sincere Condolences to David,Amy , Mary Jane and Family many good memories for me and my Family at the Ridge, Thanks Gordy RIP
Reply
Vickilee Danhoff Miller
November 8, 2023 at 8:20 am
Sorry to hear of this loss for the Rantz family and the whole Plainwell community. Many memories were made at Timber Ridge!
Reply
David Rantz
November 19, 2023 at 10:56 pm
To everyone that sent in a condolence to our family it absolutely means the world to us thank you from the bottom of our hearts we love you all. Dave R.
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
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
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.
Share This Obituary
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