Jeffry David Schantz

Jeffry David Schantz, 50, passed away on January 28, 2016 and is deeply missed by the family and friends whose lives he touched.

He was born April 19, 1965, in Youngstown, the son of David and the late Carole (Griffith) Schantz. Jeffry was a 1983 graduate of Boardman High School and lived almost his entire life in Boardman. He earned a Baccalaureate of Science and then Master of Arts degree in English from Youngstown State University.

Jeffry received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in English from Case Western Reserve University in 1998. His special area of studies was Native American captivity narratives, stories of European settlers in North America who were captured by Native American tribes. Jeffry was a professor of technical writing and composition at The University of Akron, College of Applied Science and Technology.

He also served as Den Leader of Cub Scout Pack 60, Den 2; board member for Mahoning County - Court Appointed Special Advocates; and assistant coach and volunteer for the numerous sports teams in which his sons participated.

Jeffry had many passions in his lifetime. He was an accomplished drummer and member of local rock bands. He was an avid motorcyclist and rebuilt two Honda CB-750s. Jeffry enjoyed hunting and firearms. He always wanted to learn something new, whether it was musical, literary, intellectual, or scientific. Throughout his life, Jeffry continually strived to gain knowledge, and to satisfy his thirst for experiences and adventures. It was this thirst that led Jeffry to learn to sail a boat, parachute from an airplane, strap himself to a hang glider, and explore Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

But he was most passionate about his family. A devoted father and son, loving husband, caring brother, and steadfast friend, Jeffry’s main concern was always making sure the others in his life were taken care of. Nothing was more important to Jeffry than the well-being of those closest to him.

His loved ones include his beloved wife Paige; sons Evan and Griffin; father David; brother Mark (Jody); mother-in-law Cindy Smithberger and the late Charles Smithberger; sister-in-law Pamela (Steve) Jay; brother-in-law Chad Smithberger and fiancé Nicole Burnbrier; his aunt Meridee and uncle Tom Bair and their children David (Bianca) Bair; David and Bianca’s children Nina, Kaya, and Nico of Brazil and the late Kristie Bair; his aunt Barbara and uncle John Lackey, their daughter Wendy and her husband Tom; his aunt Laurel and uncle Nick Bodnar, their son Seth (Chelsey) Bodnar and their children Margaret, Davis, and Nora; Liz and Lee Kindlon and their children Drew, Tate and Cole; cousin Larry Ake; and nieces and nephews Jared and Sarah Jay, Cameron Schantz, Nathan Smithberger, Sammi Burnbrier, and Dayna Donnadio.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 11am at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7345 Westview Dr. , Boardman with the Rev. Fr. Philip Rogers as Celebrant.

Friends will be received Thursday from 5-7pm at Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market St. Boardman, and prior to mass on Friday from 10-10:45am at the church.

The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Evan and Griffin Schantz Memorial Fund at Huntington Bank.