WILLOWICK, Ohio (March 17, 2015) — Retired tire dealer John “Dan” Kantz died March 13. He was 82.
Born Aug. 17, 1932, in Pennsylvania, Mr. Kantz began his career in the tire industry as a boy working for his father's retreading business which served the Pennsylvania coal fields.
He later worked for Carrol Tire Co. in Cleveland before teaming up with Robert Watson to start Consumer Tire Inc. in the Cleveland suburb of Euclid in 1962.
Mr. Kantz retired in 1985 and sold the dealership — part of American Tire Distributors Holdings Inc.'s Tire Pros dealer program — to his sons Al and Bruce and daughter DD Coley. Consumer Tire now operates two tire and auto service locations in Mentor and Chardon, Ohio.
According to the family, Mr. Kantz was very involved with his church and supported Boys Brigade, a Christian version of Boy Scouts. He was known to support missionaries when they came to town by repairing their cars and installing tires gratis.
Preceded in death by his parents John W. and Elda Kantz, he is survived by his wife Dorothy; sons Al (Debbie) Almasi, Bruce (Charlotte) Kantz, David (Sherry) Kantz and Dale (Margaret) Kantz; daughter DD (Mark) Coley; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggested contributions be made to the Hospice of the Western Reserve or the Maplegrove Alliance Church in Willoughby Hills, Ohio.
Condolences can be offered on the website of Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Mentor, Ohio.