Bryce Klontz Obituary

Bryce C. Klontz
Born: November 28, 1948 in Waukegan, IL
Died: February 13, 2025 in Raleigh, NC
RALEIGH - Bryce Clayton Klontz, Sr., 76, a longtime resident of Raleigh, NC, and originally from McHenry, IL, passed away unexpectedly, while in Manzanillo, Mexico.
He was born November 28, 1948, in Waukegan, IL, to Bruce W. and Matilda "Mitzi" (Zatlow) Klontz. He made McHenry area his home for about 60 years where he was active in the business community, including McHenry Chamber of Commerce and charitable service clubs. He moved to Raleigh NC in 2007 where he continued to work until retirement, and had lived there since retiring.
Mr. Klontz is a 1966 graduate of McHenry Community High School, attended Southern Illinois University, and later attended Elgin Community College. Bryce met Janet S. Garrison while at SIU, and they married on October 31, 1970 in Mt Vernon, Illinois, a marriage of over 54 years. He is military veteran, having served in the US Navy.
Bryce learned the electric motor repair business while working at his father's business, McHenry Electric & Supply Co., McHenry, beginning as a part-time helper while in middle school. By the 1980's, his sales, finance and management acumen earned him the position of President for McHenry Electric, and he successfully fostered its growth to a much larger sales and service business with over 25 employees. After moving to Raleigh NC in 2007, he continued work in the electric motor industry until retirement in 2018.
Bryce had a passion for travel, sports, especially golf, friends, and family, but most of all being with Jan, the love of his life, and doting on his two granddaughters. Bryce was well-known for his sociable and pleasant personality, gentle kindness, helping hand, humor and pranks, and ability to make lives of others around him better. He knew how to have fun and enjoy life, was a loyal friend, and a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He left us much too soon and will be missed dearly by those who knew and loved him and his golden-hearted spirit.
Bryce is survived by his wife, Janet (Garrison) Klontz of Raleigh, NC, son Bryce C. (Emily) Klontz, Jr., of Boston, MA, daughter Keri E. Urwin, of Raleigh NC, brothers Bryan W. Klontz of Trinity, FL, and Keith W. (Marianne) Klontz, sisters Lorilee J. Crnkovich of Downers Grove, IL, and Louine A. Sternickle of Harvard, IL, granddaughters Kendall and Skylar, and 10 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Randy E. Klontz, sister-in-law Sharon M. (Klapperich) Klontz, brothers-in-law Kenneth J. Sternickle and Thomas G. "Tip" Crnkovich, and grand-nephew Jacob F. Klontz.
Funeral services will be in McHenry, IL on Friday, April 11 at Justen Funeral Home located at 3700 Charles J. Miller Memorial Highway. Visitation will take place from 11:00am to 2:00pm with service starting at 2:00pm. Interment will be at Woodland Cemetery, McHenry immediately after the service.
For those wishing to send an expression of condolence, donations in Bryce's memory would be greatly appreciated to: The First Tee, an organization to empower children in building self-confidence, character and resilience. It also teaches golf, a much-loved activity of Bryce's.
Go to "Donate" and then "Tribute Gift" under First Tee (www.firsttee.org) or First Tee, P.O. Box 3055, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl, 32004.
For more information, contact Justen's Funeral Home at 815-385-2400 or www.justenfh.com.