Shirley Virginia Wantz

Shirley Virginia Wantz, 89, of Taneytown, MD, died November 19, 2025, at Golden Crest Assisted Living in Westminster. Born November 28, 1935, in Emmitsburg, MD, she was the daughter of the late John Lester and Maude Elizabeth (Stambaugh) Baumgardner. Shirley was the devoted wife of the late Donald Eugene Wantz, who passed in April 1993.

Shirley worked at Mt. Saint Mary’s University for 31 years as a purchasing agent, she also was a teacher’s aid at Taneytown Elementary for 10 years. She was a lifelong member of Tom’s Creek United Methodist Church, where she played the organ for 71 years, taught Sunday school and was the choir director for many years. She was also Vice President of United Methodist Women’s. She was devoted to her family, cooking dinner at her home every Sunday.

Surviving are children, David Wantz and wife Susan of Taneytown, Mary Harner and husband Dennis also of Taneytown and Virginia Lee Schaffer and husband Glenn of Hanover, PA; sister, Martha Sites of Livingston, MT; brother Paul Baumgardner of Carroll Valley; 6 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Shirley was predeceased by brothers John E. and Robert L. Baumgardner.

A funeral service in memory of Shirley will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Tom’s Creek United Methodist Church, 16252 Toms Creek Church Road, Emmitsburg, MD 21727, with Pastor Mike Cantley officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday, November 24,, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 136 E. Baltimore St, Taneytown, MD 21787. Interment will follow the funeral service at Keysville Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Shirley’s name may be made to Tom’s Creek United Methodist Church, 16252 Toms Creek Church Rd Emmitsburg, MD 21727.