Ralph Houston Nantze

Ralph Houston Nantze, 75, of Paragould died Wednesday at his residence. He was born May 18,1934 in North Little Rock the son of the late Irvin E. and Emma Whitfield Nantz. He was also preceded by his son, Joe Nantze and sister, Ida Emmerling . Ralph was a retiree of the Army, the Army National Guard and as a Bio Medical Technician at the V. A. Hospital in Little Rock. He was a member of the 204th Medical Detachment Dental Service in the Arkansas National Guard and was awarded the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. He was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Bryant. He was a song director in his younger years and was active in his church and was a Christian who loved his family and always gave to others. Survivors include his wife, Esther Lou Reid Nantze; and daughter Sheryl Willcockson of Paragould; son, Ralph E. Nantze of Georgia; 6 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; sister, Evelyn Wasson of North Little Rock; brother, Ed Nantze of Mayflower; and sister Emogene Wilkins of Arkansas. A memorial service in his honor will be held on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at Heath Funeral Home in Paragould. Lasting memorials may be made to St. Bernard's Hospice, 1726 Marie Circle, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.