Our son, Derrick Wayne Jantz, was born to Jerry and Debbie (Litwiller) Jantz on August 16, 2002 in Dodge City, Kansas. God took him home in the evening hours of August 10, 2019, six days from his 17th birthday. Saturday, as the evening sun was setting, Derrick ran into the arms of Jesus. His body was later found in the surf among the rocks at Little Florida Beach, Cameron, Louisiana.

Derrick went to Homeland Christian School, enjoying a number of different teachers through the years. Derrick enjoyed his five months of high school, speaking fondly of his teachers. After an experience at high school, Derrick came to the realization that he needed to make a change in his life. One morning he wanted to read his Bible and pray. As he was paging through his Bible, Jeremiah 31:3-4 impressed him. The thought that God loved him with an everlasting love brought him such a joy and hope. His prayers after that experience were beautiful and sincere. After this experience the song "I Found It" was extra special to him. His family witnessed many miracles as he endeavored to be obedient to the Holy Spirit.

Derrick had a friendly outgoing nature and loved people. It was not unusual for him to walk up to a stranger and make a new friend. The last person that saw him was a stranger that he came up behind and said, "hey, boo!" Peoples names were important to him and he tried hard to remember them. He loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. Singing for devotions was special to him. His favorite pastimes were wood burning and reading. He loved the stories and explanations in the devotional book "Threads From His Hem."

Fond memories of Derrick will be forever in our hearts. Those left behind are his parents, Jerry and Debbie Jantz; siblings: Blaine, Shaun and Veronica all of Montezuma, Kansas; paternal grandmother, Fern Jantz, Montezuma, Kansas, and maternal grandmother, Florence Litwiller, DeRidder, Louisiana. Preceding him in death were both of his grandfathers.

Funeral service will be held at Homeland Mennonite Church, Montezuma on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Thursday, August 15, 2019 from noon to 5:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the family in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com .