ELKHART -- Betty Jean Kantz, 82, of Elkhart, died at 4:42 a.m. Saturday (Dec. 20, 2008) in Elkhart General Hospital.

She was born Sept. 29, 1926, in Bristol to Donald L. and Edith M. (Doolittle) Conover. On June 21, 1945, she married Donald W. Kantz Sr. in Elkhart.

He survives along with three sons, Larry D. (Kate) Kantz of Milford and Donald W. (Kathy) Kantz Jr. and James M. (Annie) Kantz, both of Bristol; two daughters, Linda S. (Danny) Weeks of Edwardsburg, Mich., and Connie L. (Glen R. Booth) Terrazas of Elkhart; 16 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Dorothy (Eugene) Swartz and Barbara (Gerald) Long, both of Bristol.

She was preceded in death by one great-granddaughter, Hannah; and one brother, James Conover.

Mrs. Krantz was a homemaker most of her life and had been an office clerk at Burnstein's Distributing and Conn Band Instruments, both of Elkhart, for several years. For more than 30 years she delivered The Elkhart Truth newspaper bundles to all the area distribution sites for daily circulation.

She enjoyed gardening, specializing in Gerber daisies and roses in the summer and poinsettias during Christmas time. She enjoyed working in her yard, feeding the neighborhood squirrels, birds and ducks, playing with her cat and watching Jeff Gordon race NASCAR.

Mrs. Kantz was a member of the Women of the Moose Lodge 599, Elkhart.

Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. The funeral service will begin at 3 p.m. Friday with Pastor David Herr of Calvary United Methodist Church of Syracuse officiating. Cremation will follow the service.

Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.