Dean William Lantz, 91, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2014. Dean was born in Lexington, Nebraska on September 20, 1922 to William Lester Lantz and Mabel Anna (Devol) Lantz. He attended Moody Bible Institute before joining the United States Army Air Corps in 1943. He was a "belly gunner" on the B-17 Flying Fortress on 29 missions over Europe. He married the love of his life, Mary Lee Garbee, on Christmas Day, 1945. He was preceded in death by his wife and son, David Allan; his parents; two sisters, Mildred and LaVerne; and his brother, Harold. He was a long time member of First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He had been unable to attend for several years because of declining health. He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Irene Lantz; grandson, Matthew Lantz; granddaughter, Michelle Lantz; many nieces and nephews, and many friends. Visitation will be Thursday, March 13, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Friday, March 14, at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, in Billings, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church-Springfield, Gideons International, or a charity of your choice.