Gladys Mae (Redman) Schantz, age 85, of rural El Dorado Springs, Missouri, passed away at Cedar County Memorial Hospital Wednesday morning, November 23, 2011. Gladys was born March 18, 1926, at Mongahala, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Rose (Blatnica) Vesnesky and LeRoy Redman and was raised by Steve Vesnesky as his daughter.
Gladys left home in her teen years and worked as a waitress to help her parents out every chance she got. While waiting tables she met the love of her life, Edward Clint Schantz, Sr., better known as Bud. He served in World War II and when his tour of duty was finished he went directly to Georgetown to get the love of his life. Gladys always spoke of how she was under age to marry, but her mom, Rose, agreed to let them wed. After getting her Mom’s permission, Gladys was missing one thing—a pair of shoes. You can guess what happened next—Bud and Gladys got that pair of shoes!
They were married December 5, 1945. They moved around a lot after being united in holy matrimony in Uniontown, PA, with travels that took them all the way to California. Gladys finally put her foot down when they moved to El Dorado Springs, MO, in 1966 and that is where they resided ever since.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Rose & Steve Vesnesky and LeRoy Redman, and her husband, Edward Clint “Bud” Schantz, Sr.
Survivors include her six children: Steve and Vivian of Fontana, CA, Edward (Ed) and Micky of Fayetteville, NC, Connie and Gary of Monet, MO, Neoma Diann of Yucaipa, CA, Debbie and Jeff of Green Bay, WI, and Joel and Debbie of Bend, OR; thirteen grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, November 27, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. at Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home with Rev. Brent Bland officiating. J.D. Shoemaker and Fred Anstine provided music. Interment followed on Monday, November 28, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri. Arrangements were under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.