Lantzer Funeral Home to host open house
Barbara Lantzer Garver
It was 100 years ago that Elza and Minnie Adams moved from Freeport, Ohio, where they operated a funeral home, to Beach City to operate the Adams Funeral Home. On July 20 from 3-5 p.m., an open house will be held by Barbara Lantzer Garver, owner, to celebrate a century-old business, Lantzer Funeral Home, located at 230 Second Ave. SE in Beach City.
According to Barbara Garver, granddaughter of Elza and Minnie Adams, they moved to Beach City in 1924 and opened a funeral home at 301 Second Ave. SE and moved to a larger house at 230 Second Ave. SE 10 years later in 1934. The Adams family operated the funeral home at that site for 14 years. Elza Adams passed away in 1945.
“My grandparents wanted to be closer to my mom Veda Lantzer and their other daughters. The daughters resided in Stark County and Dover. They boarded a train to come to Beach City to visit their parents. Elza was a licensed embalmer and funeral director,” Garver said. “My dad Edward Lantzer Jr. took over the operation of the funeral home in 1938. He attended mortuary school, then became a licensed embalmer and funeral director.
“The name was changed to Lantzer Funeral Home in 1953. I was an only child, and when dad passed away in 1978, I took over the business as a licensed funeral director.”
She said her dad Edward Lantzer offered the hearse to use as an ambulance to the residents when there was an emergency.
“There was a button on the inside of a door at the funeral home to push and take fire calls. In 1978 my dad donated $500 toward the purchase of an ambulance for Beach City,” she said. “My husband Clinton Garver assisted me until his passing on Nov. 6, 2017. He often assisted my dad when answering calls. He said it was very satisfying work to help people. My granddaughter Samantha Speicher is a licensed embalmer and funeral director. She helps me when needed. This will eventually be her business.”
Garver has two children — Darlene (Robert) Speicher of Beach City and Eric (Denise) Garver of Navarre — and four grandchildren.
Garver said the community has been good to her and the family. She said they are celebrating 100 years of service to Beach City and surrounding areas.