Mantz, Jr. Russell Glenn

“May God forbid that I go to any Heaven where there are no horses”. Russell Glenn Mantz Jr., passed away at home on Friday, October 7, 2011 surrounded by his family and friends, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born in Welch, W.Va. on September 18, 1937 to Russell Glenn Mantz Sr. and Helen Boyd Mantz, who predeceased him. He was retired from Lynchburg Foundry with 33 years, working seven days a week for most of those years. He was a faithful member of Walton Pentecostal Holiness Church and was a member of the Radford Izaac Walton League and the Christiansburg Moose Lodge. Family members left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of 28 years, his “Kathy Darlin” (Radford); his beloved son, Michael Glenn Mantz and Denise “Mickie” Altizer (Radford); his beloved stepson, Edward A. “Tony” Divers (Charlotte, N.C.); sister, Katherine and Riner Duncan (Lynchburg); brother, Phil and Barbara Faye Mantz (Burlington, N.C.); a special aunt, Emilie B. Gibson (Blacksburg); cousins Don and Frankie Pearl Wilson (Pearisburg), Emogene and Wallace Huff DDS (Blacksburg), Jackie and Randolph Copenhaver (Wytheville), Carol Sledge (Nashville, Tenn.) and Mary Vernon and Dana Ostendorf (Silver Spring, Md.); and many nieces and nephews. Dear friends and neighbors who were close to him and whom he considered his special family are Larry Thomas, his “adopted son” (Radford); Dr. Bill and Kay Cook (Radford), Bill and Doris Gibson (Christiansburg), John Fain (Charlotte, N.C.), Terra Hosp and family (Radford), Mark and Melinda King and children Ashley, Emy, Kimberlee (his “partner”) and Greg, Bob and Judy Sale (Radford), Debbie Sarver (Catawba), and Caroline and Charlie Vierthaler (Flagstaff, Ariz.). Russell was a kind, loving husband and father who loved the outdoors. Over the years he was an avid hunter, fisherman and tinkerer who could fix most anything and enjoyed reminiscing about “old” times. He enjoyed his friends, could tell tales and spin a yarn with the best, but his true passion was riding his horse on trails, wagon trains, over streams and into the mountains where he “communed with nature”. He was a true “horse whisperer”, counseling friends, other riders and horse owners who sought his advice, knowledge, and expertise. The family extends their sincere appreciation to those who called and visited, sent cards, brought food, and initiated prayer lists for Russell during his illness. He was truly loved by people from all walks of life and he was humbled by it. Much appreciation to Carilion Hospice and especially his nurse, Sherry Reed. Arrangements are by Mullins Funeral Home, 120 W. Main Street, Radford, with visitation on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held immediately thereafter at 7 p.m. at Mullins Funeral Home, with Pastor Lee Sarver officiating. Russell asked that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Walton Pentecostal Holiness Church, 4003 Morning Glory Dr., Radford, VA 24141. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com.