Daniel Dennett Tontz

Tontz, Daniel Dennett, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. He was born in Dodge City, Kansas on March 15, 1917, the son of Mary Ellen and Dan Tontz. He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 45 years, Dorothy Nan Tontz; and daughter-in-law, Marilyn Jones Tontz. He is survived by his wife Esther Maye Mustard Tontz; son, Dan Tontz Jr.; daughter, Kathleen Tontz Ash and her husband Roger; three granddaughters, Lisa Ash McKinney and husband Franklin, Roxane Ash Mackin, and Amy Michelle Tontz; two great-grandchildren, Mary Hannah Mackin and Franklin Clark McKinney, Jr. Dan graduated from North High School and Wichita State University. He received his law degree from Washburn Law School, Topeka, Kansas. He served in WWII on the USS BUSH as Asst. Communications Officer, Lt. jg. After being discharged from the Navy in 1946, Dan went to work for United States Fidelity Guaranty Insurance Company as their claims attorney until his retirement in 1982. After retirement he became of counsel with the law firm of Kahrs, Nelson, Fanning, Hite Kellogg. Dan was a member of VFW, Phi Upsilon Sigma Fraternity(now Phi Delta Theta), American Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association, WSU and Washburn Law School Alumni Assoc., and lifetime member of the WSU Presidents Club. He served as past president of the Wichita Claims Assoc., and Larksfield Place Residents Association. A charter member of East Heights United Methodist, Dan served on the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee for many years. Dan enjoyed all sports, especially watching Shocker basketball, and became an avid golfer later in life. Services will be held on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, 2:00 p.m. at Downing Lahey East Mortuary, 6555 E. Central. Private burial at Seltzer Cemetery. For those who would like to honor Dans memory, the family suggests memorials be sent to the Robert E. Reed Cancer Research Foundation, P.O. Box 530186, Birmingham, Alabama 35253. Tributes