Daryle G. Lorntz

Daryle G. Lorntz, age 83, of Bryan, Ohio, died at 12:30 P.M. on Thursday, November 17, 2016, at Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice near Defiance, Ohio, where he was a patient, after an extended illness. Mr. Lorntz was a 1951 graduate of Bryan High School and served in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he was an instructor in cold weather survival and mountaineering, and later was an instructor of cross country and downhill skiing at Camp Hale, Colorado. He was employed by the City of Bryan, beginning his career in 1960 as a journeyman lineman. In 1966 he was promoted to service foreman and in 1972 became superintendent of electric distribution. In 1972, the Board of Public Affairs passed a resolution naming the sub-station on County Road C the “Lorntz Sub-Station,” linking the Marquis Corridor power line to the Bryan Power Production Plant. During his tenure he was twice named interim Director of Utilities. Upon his retirement as Utility Operations Manager on June 24, 1994, the mayor proclaimed it to be “Daryle Lorntz Day,” honoring his thirty-four years of service to the Bryan Utilities. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Men and also had served on the Administrative Board and Finance Committee. He also worked with the Christmas Decoration Committee each year, helping to set up and take down the decorations, and was known as Chief Elf to many for his care of the decorations. He was a member of American Legion Post #284 in Bryan and was a former member of the Bryan Lions Club, served on the Bryan Fire Department for thirty-five years and helped with Habitat for Humanity of several of their builds. His devotion to the community can be seen all around town, from Imagination Station, where he served as electrical engineer in its construction, to his service on the Board of Trustees at Faith United Methodist Church during construction of the current church in 1979-1980. Daryle G. Lorntz was born on April 8, 1933, in Bryan, the son of Howard F. and Mildred (Long) Lorntz. He married Judith A. Saurer on October 15, 1956, in Bryan. Survivors include two daughters, Karen Ford and Pamela Ely, both of Bryan; five grandchildren, David Lorntz Stark, Angela Deeds, Corbin Lorntz, Brock Thourot and Chelsea Gladieux; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Glenn Lorntz, of Bryan; and three sisters, Anna Mae Borges, of Sacramento, California, Ina Lou Young, of Montpelier, Ohio, and Barbara Bennett, of Bryan. He was preceded in death by one son, David; his former wife, Judith A. Lorntz; and one sister, Mary Lorntz. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 25, 2016, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. Services will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2016, at 11:00 A.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, Bryan, with Pastor Eric Dailey officiating. Military rites will be conducted by Bryan American Legion Post #284 and the United States Army Honor Guard. Private interment will take place in Farmer Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Wesley United Methodist Church or to Community Health Professionals Hospice Care.