Menno W. Shantz

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00110-6923
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Agricultural Laborer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Menno W. Shantz, "was born May 26th, 1869. He is unmarried and resides in Woolwich Township where he has his home with Mr. Peter Ziegler."

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

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Shantz.--Menno Shantz was born at Waterloo, Ont., 1869; died very suddenly while at work of heart failure, June 16, 1927. In his young manhood he was married to Rebecca Brubacher. 9 children came to bless this union,--Barbara, Johnnie, and Nancy dying in infancy, Maryann and Susanna at the age of 21, 3 boys (Abram, Dan, and Edward) and 1 daughter (Hannah) remain with the devoted wife and mother to mourn the loss of a kind loving husband and father; also 2 brothers (Jacob and Daniel) two sisters (Mrs. Esther Bauman and Mrs. Barbara Allemom) remain. A large number of relatives and friends were gathered together to pay their last respects to the departed. He was buried at the Mennonite Church, of which he was a member since his youth. Henry Brenneman conducted the services. Once more we were made to see that our life is as the grass in the morning it is flourishing and in the evening cut and withered away. We must all appear in the presence of God to give an account of our deeds whether they be good or evil.

Herald - Volume XX, Number 13 - June 30, 1927, pages 303, 304

Menno married Rebecca G. Brubacher 13 Jan 1895, Peel Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada. Rebecca (daughter of John B. Brubacher and Nancy Gingerich) was born 2 Dec 1872, Mosa Township, Middlesex Co., Ontario; died 28 Apr 1947; was buried , Maple River Cemetery, Maple River, Emmet Co., Michigan. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-164602

Notes:

SHANTZ, Abram

On Thursday, Sept. 18, 1975 at Hanover and District Hospital. aged 79 years, of Wallenstein.

Predeceased by his first wife. Lovina Martin in 1947 and Elvina Schallhorn in 1974.

Father of Mrs. Amos (Leah) Brubacher o f Hawkesville, Mrs. David (Rebecca) Horst of Brussels, Elias of Saskatchewan, Henry of Heidelberg, Mrs. Sidney (Lovina) Martin of Listowel, Abram of Kitchener, Mrs. James (Katie) Lavey of Indiana, U.S.A., Samuel of Hanover, Mose of Stewart. B.C.. Daniel of Waterloo. Josiah, Aleda, Annie all at home. brother of Mrs. William (Hannah) ) Woodruff of Ohio; also survived by 37 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Friends called at his residence at Wallenstein after six p.m. Friday. Private service from the home on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8: 30 standard time; then to South Peel Mennonite Meeting House for public funeral service and burial in adjoining cemetery.


Elmira Signet Sep 24 1973 pg 19

Abram married Lovina Martin 29 Mar 1921, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Lovina (daughter of Elias B. Martin and Leah G. Reist) was born 15 Nov 1897, Peel Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; died 20 Jan 1947, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , South Peel Mennonite Cemetery, Peel Township, Wellington Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Abram — Elvina Schallhorn. Elvina (daughter of Josiah Schallhorn and Elizabeth Lydia Lichty) was born 29 Nov 1909, , Ontario, Canada; died 28 Feb 1974, Hanover, Bentinck Twp., Grey Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , South Peel Mennonite Cemetery, Peel Township, Wellington Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25315

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-156931

Daniel — Carol Martha Bowman. (daughter of Levi B. Bowman and Hannah B. Martin) [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Leah Brubacher
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-203214

Leah — Amos B. Brubacher. Amos (son of Levi B. Brubacher and Amanda Brubacher) was born 25 Jul 1918, , Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Rebecca M. Horst
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-173198

Notes:

HORST, Rebecca (Mrs. David) - Peacefully went home to be with the Lord, following a brief illness with cancer, on Sunday, April 1, 2007 at KW Health Centre of Grand River Hospital. Rebecca (Shantz) Horst in her 83rd year of Elmira. Beloved wife of the late David Horst (2005). Loving mother of Willis and Adele (Anderson) Horst of Brackendale B.C., Willard and Annette Horst of Waterloo. Fondly remembered by her grandchildren, Rachel and Jared, Michelle and Julie. Also survived by her seven brothers and five sisters and a number of nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Abram and Lovina Shantz. Rebecca was a faithful member of the Hawkesville Mennonite Church. The family will receive friends and relatives at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira on Wednesday, April 4 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. At noon on Thursday transfer will be made to the Hawkesville Mennonite Church for funeral service at 2 p.m. with Paster Perry Bartel officiating followed by interment in the Hawkesville Cemetery. In her memory, donations to the Mennonite Central Committee would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.

The Record 2 Apr 2007

Rebecca — David C. Horst. David (son of Moses Horst and Mary Cressman) was born 15 Jan 1925; died 12 Feb 2005, Squamish, , British Columbia; was buried , Hawkesville Union Cemetery, Hawkesville, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Lovina Martin
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-132392

Notes:

MARTIN, Lovina At Seaforth Community Hospital on Saturday, October 27, 2012, Mrs. Lovina (Shantz) Martin of Listowel, in her 82nd year. Beloved wife of Sidney G. Martin. Dear mother of Rosemary and Ron Metzger, and Charlotte Cressman, all of Stratford, Dorcas and Jim Toth of Atwood, Lucille and Mark Stolz of Monkton, Daryl Martin of Listowel, and Jennifer and Ed Vellenga of Walton. Grandmother of Jason (Erin), Adam (Ruth), Cody (Danielle), Melissa (David), Brandon, Jessica, Rochelle, Eric, and Emily, and great-grandmother of Nathaniel. Survived by seven brothers, four sisters, and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Abram and Lovina (Martin) Shantz, and her sister Rebecca. Visitation will be held at the Eaton Funeral Home , Listowel on Monday from 2: 00 to 4: 00 and 7: 00 to 9: 00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Listowel Mennonite Church on Tuesday, October 30th at 11: 00 a.m. Interment in Fairview Cemetery, Listowel. Memorial donations to Mennonite Central Committee would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at: www.eatonfuneralhome.ca

Lovina — Sidney G. Martin. (son of Solomon B. Martin and Susannah Gingerich) [Group Sheet]

Abram — Marguerite Jean "Jean" Becker. (daughter of Roland Howard "Howard" Becker and Effie Fern Brighton) [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25317

Notes:

SHANTZ, Samuel Peacefully passed away on Monday, December 7, 2015, at Barnswallow Place, Elmira, at the age of 78 years. Sam was the beloved husband of the late Gladys (Shoemaker) Shantz (2000). Dear father of Elverne (Sandra), Wayne (Hilary), Rosanne (Tomas), Lorne (Christina), Merle (Lisa), Darlene (Adams), and Clare (Sheryl). Lovingly remembered by his 22 grandchildren, 2 great-grand- children and fondly remembered by Doris Henning. Predeceased by his parents Abram and Lovina (Martin) Shantz. The family will receive their relatives and friends on Thursday, December 10, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur St. S., Elmira. A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 11, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Bethel Mennonite Church, 6772 Eighth Line W., Elora. Interment in Bethel Mennonite Cemetery. In Sam's memory, donations to MCC would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.

Samuel — Gladys Shoemaker. Gladys (daughter of Menno W. Shoemaker and Almeda S. Martin) was born 17 Feb 1937; died 21 May 2000; was buried , Bethel Mennonite Cemetery, Elora, Wellington Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-203216

Melinda — Allen K. Brubacher. (son of Abraham K. Brubacher and Lovina K. Knarr) [Group Sheet]

Menno — Barbara Anne Kuntz. (daughter of Robert Kuntz and Laura Isabelle Zehr) [Group Sheet]

Daniel — Laurie Holling. (daughter of Orval William John Holling and Adela "Dolly" Reist) [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Barry Shantz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-372812

Notes:

Heidelberg woman asks why her brother was shot dead by RCMP officers responding to mental-health call


"Somebody needs to stand up for Barry and what's right," the Heidelberg woman said.

Kitchener-born Shantz died on Jan. 13 in Lytton, B.C. when a six-hour standoff with the RCMP ended with him being shot and killed on his front porch. He was 63.

Shantz was the oldest of three children born to Jean and Abram Shantz, their father raised Old Order Mennonite but having left the community.

Growing up in Kitchener, Shantz was rebellious and always seemed to find trouble. He left home at 17 and went out to British Columbia where an uncle lived and got him a job in a mine.

"He was spreading his wings at a very young age," Farquhar said.

Shantz's passion for advocacy emerged in an unusual place - prison. His penchant for trouble led to criminal activity and he was sentenced in 1994 to 15 years for money laundering and drug possession in the United States.

During the 13 years he served, Shantz kept busy reading law books to help other inmates with legal issues, filing grievances and Freedom of Information requests. He organized a work strike among prisoners, leading to six months in solitary confinement.

Farquhar kept in close contact with her brother, visiting him with her family when he was in various prisons in New York state. The day he was released and deported back to Canada, she was overjoyed to pick him up and bring him back to her family's home to give him some time to acclimate after so long behind bars.

Farquhar saw the experience of being in prison changed her brother, and the trauma lingered throughout the rest of his life. "He was definitely a different person when he got out."

Once back in B.C., Shantz was hired by his lawyer to help out around the firm's Abbotsford office. Shantz started out with maintenance-related tasks and didn't hesitate to roll up his sleeves to get a job done \emdash a trait that had impressed his lawyer while Shantz was in prison.

Then Shantz was asked to clean up the street outside the office, located in an area with rampant homelessness and drug use.

"That's what sent Barry on his ultimate mission," Farquhar said.

Rather than shuffling the people along so they would be out of sight, Shantz became an outspoken advocate for the homeless, drug users, sex workers and mentally ill. Farquhar said that mission became all-consuming for her brother.

"I knew he was making amends for the wrongs he did in his life," she said. "He saw that he could make a difference there."

Shantz threw himself into lobbying, not hesitating to create a disturbance or ruffle feathers \emdash especially among city officials when he thought they weren't doing all they could to help the city's less fortunate. He fought bylaws banning harm-reduction programs and sleeping in public parks. He co-founded the advocacy group Drug War Survivors, which was part of a court battle with the city that resulted in a 2015 B.C. Supreme Court ruling that set precedents for the rights of the homeless.

"He had a passion for helping people and he did whatever it took," Farquhar said. "He showed so much empathy to people who couldn't help themselves."

But, at the same time, Shantz himself was struggling with mental-health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder from his prison time.

Three years ago while Farquhar was visiting him, Shantz broke down in tears, saying he didn't know how to cope and that he wasn't getting the help he needed.

"That's when it sunk in with me he's really struggling," Farquhar said.

But he didn't share more about what he was experiencing, and the moment of candour passed just as suddenly as it appeared. Then, this past September, Shantz came back to Waterloo Region to visit their gravely ill father.

"In retrospect, I think he came to say goodbye," Farquhar said. "He knew the end was close. I knew that."

On Jan. 13, the woman Shantz was living with called for help because he seemed suicidal and had a gun.

Farquhar pieced together details of that day from news stories because officials won't release information about the police response while an investigation is underway by the Independent Investigations Office. That civilian oversight agency in British Columbia is similar to the Special Investigations Unit in Ontario, which is responsible for looking into incidents involving police officers.

Shantz's son found out two days later about his father's death because people were talking about the incident, then he called Farquhar to tell her the grave news.

Reportedly, the RCMP response included about 30 officers, a helicopter, and canine unit. Two other people in the home, the woman and her daughter, got out safely before the incident.

Shantz reportedly called police during the standoff, saying he was coming out and wanted to be shot \emdash which is just what happened when he stepped out onto the porch.

"They knew he wasn't well," Farquhar said.

Since then, she has been in touch with the coroner, RCMP and investigating body to find out more about her brother's death and make sure they know the terrible impact his loss has had on the family.

She travelled to B.C. in February for a memorial service, and earlier this month to talk with family about the victim impact statement she wrote.

Shantz's absence is being felt by more than just his family.

During her February visit, Farquhar went to a homeless camp to give out food and beverages and as soon as she said her brother's name people began giving her heartfelt condolences.

"It was just overwhelming," Farquhar said.

They started sharing stories about all he had done for them, and not just his advocacy but also personally lending a hand to people in need. One person he drove to hospital, another he took into his home while she waited for a spot at a rehabilitation centre.

"He didn't just try to help. It was a friendship there."

Farquhar is left with a burning anger and many questions about her brother's violent death.

Why was the response apparently so heavy-handed for someone who was armed but only a danger to himself, and who had no history of violence?

Was a mental-health professional called to provide advice, and were other options considered besides deadly force? Did the fact the incident took place on an Aboriginal reservation have an influence on how it was handled, or was Shantz's notoriety as an activist a factor?

Finally, was the police response proportional to the threat? Farquhar would answer that question with an unequivocal no, adding that RCMP put her unstable brother into what appeared an inescapable position.

"It was a terrible response from the police."

Farquhar filed a complaint with the Independent Investigations Office and the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission about the use of lethal force on a person who was suicidal. She's also getting help for free from a lawyer specializing in police brutality, who was a friend of her brother's after working at the same firm. The investigation is set to conclude in early August.

"I think I'm probably dreaming that there will be charges," Farquhar said. "I don't have huge expectations for that."

She is determined to fight for her brother who deserved better, just like he would have done for the vulnerable he advocated for tirelessly. She wants to "create a noise, just like Barry does.

"My voice is one more voice to add to examples of what we're doing wrong."

Johanna Weidner

Johanna Weidner is a Waterloo Region-based general assignment reporter for The Record. Reach her via email: jweidner@therecord.com


Heidelberg woman asks why her brother was shot dead by RCMP officers responding to mental-health call. (2020). Retrieved 26 July 2020, from https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2020/07/26/heidelberg-woman-asks-why-her-brother-was-shot-dead-by-rcmp-officers-responding-to-mental-health-call.html