Leonard Wantz, Jr.

Leonard George Wantz, Jr, 85, of Taneytown passed away, surrounded by his family, Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster. Born on May 29, 1940 in Taneytown, he was the only child of Leonard George Wantz, Sr. and Margaret Emma Wantz, nee Unger; beloved husband and soulmate of A. Elaine Wantz, his wife of 63 years, whom he married at Grace United Church of Christ; loving father of George Scott Wantz and his wife Sheila, and Leonard Jay Wantz and his wife Kelly, all of Taneytown; devoted Pap to his grandchildren Brian, Jeff and his wife Sydney, JT, Jacob, and Joel; and great grandchildren George, Grace, and Jett.

From an early age he was a man of faith with his journey beginning as a member of Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church in early life and later joining Grace United Church of Christ, where he was a regular attendee and previously served on Consistory. This faith has carried him through his life and all his endeavors. After graduating from Taneytown High School in 1958, he went on to attend Thompson Business School in York, PA. He served in the Army National Guard for 8 years. As a young man, he realized his talent as an entrepreneur and established his own company selling fresh eggs, chickens and produce across different neighborhoods throughout Baltimore. At the age of 23, he established Wantz Chevrolet on March 5, 1964, where he served at the Dealer Principal and President for the next 62 years. In addition to Wantz Chevrolet, he was a Bluebird Bus dealer and distributor for 25 years and was a former owner-operator of 3 school buses for Carroll County Public Schools. He was very active and involved in the family business until his passing and was proud to pass on his love and enthusiasm to the next generations of the Wantz family through his son and grandsons with their direct involvement in the operation of the family business.

As a family man, he always found time and enjoyed coaching his sons in Little League Baseball, Taneytown Rec Basketball, and American Legion Baseball. He and his wife enjoyed traveling and attended several of the International Lions Club conventions across the US and Canada with their grandsons. Above all else, he enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, watching them participate in sports and instrumental music, having regular overnight “spends,” taking trips together and laughing at their antics in the backyard pool.

For over 50 years, he was a member of the Monocacy Masonic Lodge #203 AF & AM (Past Master), the Taneytown American Legion Post 120 and the Taneytown Lions Club (Past President), where he was a recipient of the Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. As an active member of the Taneytown Chamber of Commerce, he formerly served as President and Treasurer, and he strongly believed in supporting local Taneytown businesses. He was an active member in FSK Band Boosters while his sons attended high school, where he served as President and was involved in an annual band competition held at FSK. He was a member of the National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) and Maryland Auto Dealers Association (MADA).

He loved John Deere tractors and found enjoyment in mowing. For over 50 years, he was an avid fan and regular attendee of Mount Saint Mary’s basketball games (where he will likely be missed by the referees). He was a season ticket holder for both the Baltimore Colts since 1968, and then the Baltimore Ravens since 1996.

The family will receive family and friends for visitation 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Grace United Church Christ, 49 West Baltimore Street, Taneytown (21787). The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with Pastor Lyne Stull-Lipps officiating. Interment will follow in the Grace UCC cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be offered to the Grace UCC Memorial Fund (49 W. Baltimore St) or the Taneytown Lions Club (P.O. Box 555).

Online condolences may be offered at www.myersdurborawfh.com.

Funeral arrangement and inquiries may be directed to MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, P.A. of Taneytown.