Bud Jantzen

Funeral service for Elvin (Bud) Jantzen will be 2 p.m., Mon., Aug. 5, at Memorial Heights Baptist Church with Rev. Paul Simpson officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Oakhaven Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Sat. 1-6 p.m., and family will greet friends 4-6 p.m.

Bud was born October 1, 1927, in Inola, Oklahoma to Franz and Aganetha Jantzen and died July 30, 2013, in Claremore Hillcrest hospital. He was 85 years old.

Bud, along with his twelve siblings, grew up and helped work on the family farm at Inola, Oklahoma. He received his education at King School northeast of Inola. He enlisted in the US Army in 1946 and served until 1947 when he was discharged from the army. Then in 1949 he enlisted in the US Air Force and served until 1953. During his Air Force service Bud was stationed on Adak Island, a small island in the Aleutian Islands chain off the coast of Alaska. He was very proud of his service to his country and very proud of his country.

Bud was introduced to Ruth Marie Downs by his sister, Alma, and the couple was married on October 21, 1951 in Claremore, Oklahoma. Soon after being married the couple moved to California where Bud was stationed in the Air Force.

Shortly after moving back to Oklahoma God blessed Bud and Marie with their firstborn Rick, in 1952, and a daughter Sandi, in 1953.

The couple lived in Claremore, Oklahoma for most of their married lives. The family lived in St. Louis, Missouri for 6 months while Bud worked for McDonald/Douglas aircraft and Sanford, Florida for about 14 months where Bud worked as a contractor for McDonald/Douglas repairing Navy fighter planes. Bud also worked for the City of Claremore, Rural Water District #3, and the company from which he eventually retired, Air X Changers at the Port of Catoosa. Bud and Marie were married for 61 years.

Bud loved his Lord, his church, his country, and his family. He loved serving in his church where he helped in bible school, served as a deacon, and as a custodian for many years. Bud is survived by his wife Marie, of the home; son Rick Jantzen and spouse Donna of Owasso; daughter Sandi Bartles and spouse Joe of Claremore; granddaughter Anndrea Jantzen Finley of Stillwater; grandson Regan Jantzen and spouse Jeni of Chickasha; granddaughter Michelle Green and spouse Jereme of Mount Vernon, Texas; granddaughter Jodi Couch and spouse John of Wagoner; grandson Scott Bartles of Claremore: five great-grandchildren: Alexys and Kyler Finley, Ramsey and Morgen Jantzen, and Raeli Green; as well as a host of family and friends.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents Franz and Aganetha Jantzen; eight brothers and four sisters; and great grandson Kage Green.