Wayne Bantz passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born April 27, 1954 in Waterloo the son of Dallas and JoAnne (Schwake) Bantz. Wayne grew up in rural Fairbank and graduated from Wapsie Valley Schools with the Class of 1972. On March 17, 1973 he married Debra Bailey and they later divorced. While living on the family farm Wayne was a hard worker and always willing and able to help neighbors with work on the farm whether it be baling hay or picking up rocks or whatever else was needed to be done. After graduation he went to work for Deere and Company in Waterloo and worked there for the next 46 years of his life, until retiring in 2019. Wayne loved the outdoors whether it be coon hunting, deer hunting or riding four-wheelers. He also enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino to try his luck, Wayne loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and spending time with all of his family and friends. This past February he was fortunate to be able to travel to St. Lucia with his family and enjoy some warm weather and a nice long ride on a catamaran. Wayne will be missed by so many but he will never be forgotten.
He is survived by his three daughters; Shawn (Chad) McGarvey, Sheila (Justin) Heinze both of Fairbank and Sarah Bantz (Danny) of Evansdale and one son Wyatt Bantz of Fairbank, his grandchildren; Devon McGarvey, Morgan McGarvey, Kaylee Heinze, Dakota Heinze and Drake Heinze, his mother; JoAnne Bantz of Fairbank, two brothers; Wayde (Teresa) Bantz of Dunkerton and Wes (Lori) Bantz of Fairbank, two sisters; Dee Hessletine (Kevin) of Marion and Jalene Bantz (Ken) of Oelwein along with many nieces and nephews. Wayne was preceded in death by his father, his maternal and paternal grandparents, a brother; Wendell and a sister Jeanne.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, August 22, 2020 from 12:00-3:00 pm at the Fairbank American Legion. Everyone that has a Wayne’s Warriors T-Shirt is asked to wear it to the celebration.
Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.
Condolences for Wayne Dallas Bantz
R.I.P. Wayne
You always had smile on your face and a warm heart.
Glad to call you my friend.
Dear Bantz family, I am sorry for your loss. You girls are special to me. I am sorry you are hurting. It is so hard losing a dad, especially to cancer. My sympathy and prayers to you. Love, Karen.
Sincere condolences to you all on the loss of Wayne. He was a great guy that I enjoyed talking to during my time in Waterloo.
Sending sincerest sympathy to the family..you are in our thoughts and prayers..
To the Bantz family lam so sorry for your loss Wayne will be greatly missed. We had a great time growing up had so much fun hunting and fishing with you.
RIP ole buddy!!
We all shared many years of friendship. Volleyball games, dancing, potlucks, all night partys, Christmas, Halloween. So many memories. We all knew how to have fun. Hold these memories and know he is in your heart. He will be missed.
Sending my deepest sympathies to all of you; I enjoyed talking to Wayne over the years at school and out at the tree farm . Hugs to all! ♥️
So sorry for the loss of your dad, grandfather, and brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Didn’t know Wayne very well, but if he was like his father he was a great guy. Sending love and hugs.
Sending prayers and sympathy to the Bantz family at this time. Grief for a loved one is so difficult.May you find comfort in all your memories and the memories that others will also be sharing. Sincerely,Roma Ries,Parkersburg
RIP Wayne… He was such a caring, generous man, always willing to lend a hand if needed. I will always remember his awesome giant 4th of July fireworks parties!
I’m SO Sorry for all of the family’s great loss. Please take comfort in the fact that he is in his greatest glory now…
Jeni McDaniel
So sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers
My deepest sympathy to the family. It was a great to see Wayne at our 65th birthday bash (class of 72) last summer.
RIP. A great person to have known.
So so sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Roxie Foley-Falsone
RIP Ole coonhuntig buddy!To the family so sorry for your loss, he was a great person to know he will be missed by all! I have a lot of great memories going through school with him and coon hunting for years with him! Hope to meet up with you in heaven someday and get another one treed!
RIP Wayne,My deepest sympathy to the family.May God be with you in this tuff time, I have great memories to remember Wayne a great friend!
Enjoy your new Heavenly home, Wayne. And to his mom, children, grandchildren siblings and friends: May the peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding be with all of you at this difficult time. My, how quickly the days of playing in each other’s backyards up on Newell St. in Waterloo have passed. The Dolans and the Bantzs will be connected forever in time. God bless all of you.
I will miss Wayne he was the best uncle any one could ask for