Virgil E. “Gene” Frontz, 88, of Mansfield, Ohio, passed away Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, at the Crestwood Care Center in Shelby, Ohio. He was born Aug. 23, 1927, in Mansfield, Ohio, a son of the late Virgil and Emma Brandt Frontz.
He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II, and retired from Mansfield Tire after 31 years of service, then worked at General Motors until his second retirement. Gene was very active in his community as a life member of Amvets Post #26, a member of the V.F.W. Post #9943, the American Legion Post #16, the Crestline Eagles, and the U.A.W. Local #546, Mansfield. He served as a member of the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail and enjoyed playing music, especially with his band, Gene Frontz and the Firebirds. He loved spending time in nature through camping and boating on Lake Erie.
Gene is survived by his sons, Donald (Donna) Frontz and John Frontz, both of Mansfield; three stepchildren, Terry (Kathy) Brown, David (Michelle) Brown, and Carol (Ron) Carsner, all of Cardington, Ohio; nine grandchildren, David (Amy) Frontz, Dan (Tammy) Frontz, Savannah Townsend, Lacey (Dan) Cortez, Lyndsy and Challen Brown, Taylor (Corey) Hitchman, Richard Reed, and Thomas Carsner; nine great-grandchildren, Clay, Courtney and Caitlynn Frontz, Chelsea, Kayley and Jacob Makeever, Danny Townsend, and Aaliyah and Max Ely; and sister, Jeannine Smith of Mansfield. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine Cranmer Frontz on Sept. 22, 2012; and two grandchildren.
Friends and family may call on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. The funeral service conducted by Rev. Carol Kilgore will be Friday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with burial to follow at the Mansfield Cemetery. Military honors will be presented by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Words of comfort may be expressed at www.wappner.com.
