Zachary David Frantz

Zachary David Frantz, 8, of New Philadelphia, skipped into the gates of Heaven to be with Jesus on Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 2006.A son of David and Christa (Finley) Frantz, Zachary was born February 21, 1998 in Union Hospital at Dover.He was a student in the Third Grade in South Elementary at New Philadelphia and was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church at New Philadelphia. Zachary was also a member of the Youth Choir at church.During his brief eight years, Zachary endured many obstacles throughout his life. But because of his courage and spirit, there wasn’t an obstacle that was able to hold him back. Zachary was confined to a wheel chair but that didn’t stop him from playing ball in the back yard, or swimming or fishing. He enjoyed many activities and his proudest accomplishment was being the local champion of the 2006 Soap Box Derby Race.Zachary loved football and the New Philadelphia Football team was special to him. He enjoyed attending Quaker football games but most importantly to Zachary was the love the team showed him. The signed football the players presented to him after one of their games and including him in their pep rallies are moments he cherished dearly. He was also an avid fan of the Ohio State Football team.He is survived by his loving parents, David and Christa Frantz of New Philadelphia; his sister, Meghan Frantz of the home; paternal grandparents, Joe and Kay Frantz of New Philadelphia; maternal grandparents Dave and Pat Finley of New Philadelphia; aunts and uncles, Scott and Janet Pipes of New Philadelphia and Steve and Bridget Frantz of Wooster, Ohio and his dear cousins, Brittany, Christopher and Logan Pipes of New Philadelphia and Luke, Olivia and Colleen Frantz of Wooster, Ohio.Zachary was preceded in death by his great grandparents.Family and friends may call in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Thursday, December 28, 2006 from 1 to 3 and 7 to 9 p.m. A celebration of Zachary’s life will be held on Friday, December 29, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. in Emmanuel Lutheran Church at New Philadelphia with Rev. Dr. Phillip Carl. Burial will follow in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following the committal service, a memorial reception will be held in the fellowship hall of Emmanuel Lutheran Church.Memorial contributions may be made in Zachary’s memory to Akron Children’s Hospital, Development Office, One Perkins Square, Akron, OH 44308 and or to Rainbow of Hope Foundation, P.O. Box 8, Mt. Hope, OH 44660.