"Ed was a great guy and wonderful family man. We were fortunate to know him. Our sincere condolences to Carla and the Children"
In loving memory of
Edward William Lentz
November 26, 2018
Edward William "Ed" Lentz, age 61, of Quincy, died Monday, November 26, 2018, in his home.
Ed was born September 14, 1957, in Quincy, Illinois, to Robert and Betty (Schneider) Lentz.
He married Carla Churchill on July 16, 1983, in Hannibal, Missouri. She survives.
Ed attended St. Anthony Grade School and was a 1975 graduate of Payson Seymour High School. Ed worked on the family farm in rural Quincy for a number of years before he and Carla established Churchill Photography in 2001. In addition, Ed was employed for the past 13 years by the City of Quincy in the Department of Transit Services.
Ed was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. He loved to watch his daughters play the violin and his son play baseball. He was a member of First Union Congregational Church, where he took special joy delivering cookies for the hospitality ministry. More than anything, Ed's life was his faith and his family.
In addition to Carla, his wife of 35 years, Ed is survived by his three children: Katie Churchill Lentz of New York, NY; Elizabeth Churchill Lentz of Dallas, TX; and Malachi Churchill Lentz of Olmsted, IL; his mother, Betty Lentz, of Quincy; seven siblings: Joan (Tom) Barnes; Rosann (Chris) Trowbridge; Rich (Ann) Lentz; and Stan (Debbie) Lentz, all of Quincy; Amy (Dave) Valeu of Marceline, IL; Carl (Robin) Lentz; and Paul (Ronda) Lentz, all of Quincy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ed was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Victoria Churchill Lentz, and his father, Robert Lentz.
Memorial Service: 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 2, 2018, at First Union Congregational Church, Quincy, IL, with Rev. Josh Vahle officiating.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Union Congregational Church or G. Stewart Cemetery in Plainville, IL. Donations to the cemetery will help support the Churchill Memorial Garden, which was established in memory of Ed and Carla's daughter, Victoria.
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.
Tributes
"Carla, We've only known you and Ed recently through the Congo and our small group. Our deepest sympathy and condolences for you and all those nearest to Ed. Sincere prayers for comfort during this difficult season of loss, and thoughts of joy for Ed as he's gone on to live in eternal paradise with the Father."
"What a sudden loss to an amazing family! We will remember Mr Lentz as a devoted and very proud father of his amazing children. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time! The Lord Bless & Keep You All! Kathi Dooley & Gary Handrick"
"Ed meant a lot to me and I always kinda looked up to him growing up in the church. I started going to Riverside when I was 8 years old and at the time I remember thinking that church was boring and it was just a place for older people. I remember my mom taking my sister and I to bible quiz one Sunday morning and Ed took us in under his wings and showed me that not only was it okay to have fun at church but, reading and studying the Bible can be an exciting thing to do. Ed really transformed me as a child and helped me become the Christian that I am today. When I think of Ed there was never a time I ever saw Ed down in the dumps or angry. He always had a smile on his face and would always go out of his way to make sure you felt cared about. He was one of the nicest, most caring, heartfelt people I?ve ever met. Even seeing him in public the last couple years, he was always so friendly and just asking how I?ve been and stuff. Always a happy guy and I?ll never forget that about him. Ed was an amazing person and he will dearly be missed. I love all of you guys and I?ll be praying for your family during this tough time."
"Ed was me n my roommate bus driver when we go to work in the mornings i will miss our conversations and i will miss his smile. Good bus driver n very good friend. Rip ed fly high"
"It saddens us beyond words that can be expressed of Ed's passing. We dont know why God takes the best of us, only He knows. We do know that Ed was blessed with such a wonderful family and surrounded with an endless amount of friends and loved ones. We are continually praying for yous and love yous so much."
"Ed was my bus driver all through middle school, as he acknowledged every student that rode his transit with great courtesy. One time, on the last day of school before summer break, he even gave everyone $2 to spend on either some ice cream or a soda to celebrate the end of the year! You can imagine how wild we, as kids, were on that bus ride home. Most definitely my favorite driver! He raised such a great and respectful family and placed Christ in the center of their lives. I will always admire him and the Lentz family. God bless."
"My deepest sympathies to Carla and children. He is with the Lord now. You're in my daily prayers."
"Carla and the Lentz family We are so sorry to hear of Ed?s passing. Our prayers are with you and the Lentz family. May God give each of you the strength to see you thru these difficult times. Ed was a wonderful man!"
"Elizabeth, Remembering you especially today as you celebrate your father's homegoing. KayLyn Hopper"
"Shelly and I are still in shock and so sorry to hear of the ads said in passing. It was just recently that we got to have such a wonderful conversation right in our kitchen with you? And we will always treasure that. May your whole family feel God?s presence and support in many special ways..."
"We are so sorry for your loss. The Marcolla family."
"Carla, our hearts are crushed as is yours. Ed was a wonderful man. He will be so missed by all who knew him. We pray for healing for you and the kids. Should your daughter in Dallas ever needs anything just reach out to us and we will do what we can to help. Love from Texas. Please take care of yourself"
"I?m so terribly sorry!!! From pictures to seeing you guys through the year, there wasn?t a time I didn?t see Ed have his sweet smile! He will truly be missed!!!! Sending lots of love and prayers for you!!"
"Carla, Katie, Elizabeth and Malachi - so sorry to hear of Ed's passing. He was such a kind,caring and faithful man. Many prayers are being said for your loving family."
"I am so sorry to hear of Ed?s passing. Prayers for you and your precious children for peace in your ? s knowing Ed is in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Huggs to you Carla from Florida."
"Me and my family are very sorry for your loss. He was very good with our boys when they were in bible quiz. He taught them a lot and love it when Preston would come up with some of the thing he did. He will be missed a lot."
"Carla and family, words cannot express the sorrow over Ed's passing. His kindness and giving nature will be missed by many. He was also so friendly and good to talk to. His love of Jesus showed through in his character and kindness. We can all take comfort in knowing that he loved the Lord and that Jesus has a place for him in heaven. Though we are saddened, we can praise God for His promise of everlasting life. Praying for you and your family. Thinking of you."
"We are so very sorry to hear this news. Our prayers are with your family at this time. Godspeed Ed."
"Ed, your ready smile and many years of service while attending Faith Assembly and Riverside Community Church, will and have been missed. Heaven gained a faithful soul and earth lost an amazing man. Our prayers and thought are with you, Carla and family."
"Carla, Katie, Elizabeth and Malachi ? We know that words are inadequate at a time like this but we want you to know how very sorry we are for your loss. Ed was so fun to be around and talk with, and he brought much joy to many people?s lives. It is times like this that our faith is put to the test. We know that we must accept his passing and give thanks for the wonderful life he lived. As sad as it will be, you will always have the memory of him to hold in your hearts. We pray that God will give you the strength to see you through this sad and difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you all."
"Carla, Joan, and families! I'm so sorry to hear about Ed. Memories will keep him close! Linda and Lois Flesner Family"
"Carla, Katie, Elizabeth and Malachi ? We know that words are inadequate at a time like this but we want you to know how very sorry we are for your loss. Ed was so fun to be around and talk with, and he brought much joy to many people?s lives. It is times like this, that our faith is put to the test. We know that we must accept his passing and give thanks for the wonderful life he lived. As sad as it will be, you will always have the memory of him to hold in your hearts. We pray that God will give you the strength to see you through this sad and difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all."
"We are so grieved to hear this news. We met Ed and Carla during our faith assembly years and reared our kids in church together. I served as alderman for the city of Quincy and had the pleasure on occasion to run into him. Greg and I know you are overjoyed at the sight of your savior and we will be praying for your family. Thank you for your service to the City of Quincy. Alderman LeXze Glenda Mann and family."
"Carla & family, Joan & family our prayers are with you all."
"We are so sorry to hear of Ed's passing. Good memories shared over the youth baseball years of the boys. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers."
"Ed will spend his first Christmas with Jesus!! We grieve for ourselves but are happy for him. He can now deliver cookies to all the angels and saints that are so joyful that Ed has come home."
"Carla, so very sorry for you and your families loss. Ed was a wonderful person and had a ready smile for you where ever you saw him. Our prayers to you and your family."
"A man may go to Heaven without health, without riches, without honors, without learning, without friends, but he can never go there WITHOUT CHRIST. Ed, well done you good & faithful servant."
"I met Ed at work, driving for QTL. He was a fine man. I liked talking to Ed, he was always kind and listened to what I had to say. He was a man of few words at work, usually sat on his bus at the Transfer points and ate his lunch or was talking to Carla on the phone. I will miss that friendly smile. God Speed Ed Lentz. My heart and my prayers go out to his wife and kids. I will miss the family Christmas photo card. With love, John Badamo"