Leonard F. “Len” Schrantz

A lifelong resident of Dunkirk, Mr. Schrantz was a graduate of Dunkirk High School, class of 1953. He proudly served his country for two years in the U.S. Army.

Len retired as Engineering Supervisor from Welch Foods in Westfield after 30 years of service. He was formerly employed by American Locomotive Company in Dunkirk prior to its closing in 1962.

An advocate for community service, Mr. Schrantz served the residents of Dunkirk as 3rd Ward Councilman and later as an Assessor. At one time he also served as a member of the Southern Tier West Regional Planning Board, the City of Dunkirk Planning Board, and was the first chairman of the Dunkirk Harbor Commission. He was a Life member of Hose Company No. 1 and a long-time member of its Flying Dutchman drum corps.

Len was a reliable, constant source of support for extended family, friends, acquaintances, and anyone in need of a helping hand.

A devote Catholic, Mr. Schrantz was a member and past Trustee of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church and was previously a parishioner of the former Sacred Heart Church. Len was a past recipient of the Lay Award of St. Joseph the worker awarded by the Diocese of Buffalo for his many years of service to his parish. He served 10 years as chairman of the St. Mary’s Cemetery Committee and was a former member of the Knights of St. John.

As a devoted family man, Mr. Schrantz put family before all things.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Dorothy (Jesionowski) Schrantz, whom he married on June 17, 1961; one daughter, Lisa (James) Elias of Virginia; four sons, Karl (Diane) Schrantz of Whitesboro, NY, Frank (Wendy) Schrantz of Dunkirk, Leonard (Catherine) Schrantz of Orchard Park, and Edward (Kelly) Schrantz of Fredonia and 15 grandchildren, Adrienne, James, Amelia, and Kurt Elias, and Benjamin, Sarah, Rebecca, Max (Kaylee), Owen, Olivia, Peyton, Jacob, William, Andrew, and Erin Schrantz. He is also the proud Great Grandfather to Navy Schrantz. He is survived by his brothers Paul Schrantz and Frederick (Darlene) Schrantz along with brother-in-law Carl Waterman, and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Theresa Waterman, brother Thomas (and wife Cheryl) Schrantz, and sister in-law Sandra Schrantz. He was also preceded by his in-laws Richard and Dorothy Jesionowski, Reverend Richard Jesionowski, Irene (Jesionowski) Palmer, Alice (Jesionowski) and Roy Weaver, and Barbara (Jesionowski) and David McCormack.

Calling hours will be held Friday, Sept. 1, from 4-8 p.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 2, at 10 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Full military honors will be accorded by the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council Honor Guard. Entombment will be in the Pieta Mausoleum of St. Mary’s Cemetery, Dunkirk. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northern Chautauqua Catholic School, 336 Washington Ave., Dunkirk, NY 14048 or Alzheimers Association, WNY Chapter, 2805 WEHRLE DRIVE SUITE 6, Williamsville, NY 14221-7380.