Malcolm C. Kantner

Malcolm Clayton Kantner of Toledo has died. He was 92, and had been in declining health for several years.

A private memorial will be held on a date to be determined.

The elder son of Bertha (Smith) Kantner and Clayton W. Kantner, Malcolm was born at his parents' farm in New Knoxville, Ohio. He always said he enjoyed some aspects of farm life– particularly working with his father in the fields– and he had a lifelong love for animals. But after graduating valedictorian with a class of 19 from New Knoxville High School, he left farm life at age 18, moved to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and attended International Business College. To fund his education there, his parents sold a cow.

He met Nancy Grizelle Conrad, the love of his life, in confirmation class at First English Lutheran Church in Wapakoneta, Ohio, and they married at age 18. Their honeymoon, a road trip in a borrowed 1937 Chevrolet to New Orleans, presaged many decades of world travel. They spent the first part of their marriage in Ft. Wayne, where Nancy worked and Malcolm attended school.

Afterward they settled in Toledo, where Malcolm eventually took an accounting position with Chevrolet. He worked his way up to Plant Auditor and Payroll Administrator at the Chevrolet (later GM) Assembly plant in Atlanta, Georgia. He later held executive posts with Cyphernetics Corporation (Ann Arbor, Michigan, and The Hague, The Netherlands), as well as Volkswagen of America (New Stanton, Pennsylvania, and Troy, Michigan). Retiring as Audit Manager in 1992, he and Nancy returned to Toledo.

Nancy, always Malcolm's guiding light, shared with him her love of travel. They made their first European trip with Nancy's parents Irvin and Agnes Conrad in 1965, lived in The Hague, The Netherlands in the 1970's, and eventually toured some 87 countries in six out of the seven continents by car, ship, boat, train, and airplane. Malcolm in turn made it possible for Nancy to be a stay at home mother to their four children and to pursue her passions for art, music, and gardening. She was also a largely self-taught direct investor, the fruits of which financed their travels as well as the rainy day fund that came in handy later. Together, Malcolm and Nancy raised their children, attended church, enjoyed theater, film, and music, and created a very private and loving world for themselves. Though generous with time and resources and selfless in service, they were also rigorously self sufficient, and expected the same of their children.

Malcolm was an avid reader, and articulate and engaging in conversation. Other pastimes included fencing and sailing. He also enjoyed stage work, starting with roles in two high school class plays. Later he belonged to Collingwood Drama Guild and Little Repertory Company in Toledo. He portrayed Col. Alcock in the Theatre Atlanta production of "The Andersonville Trial" (1967) and a Tempter/Knight in the Cathedral (of St. Philip) Players production of T. S. Eliot's "Murder in the Cathedral" (1968) in Atlanta. He was interested in genealogy and actively supported Nancy's efforts to create genealogies for both sides of their family.

Malcolm could be, by turns, charming and stern, supportive and demanding. He was a hard, disciplined, and ever-dependable worker devoted to keeping his family secure, and strove always for excellence in everything he did. He strongly valued education, advancing his own at University of Toledo, Georgia State College (now University), and Eastern Michigan University, and supported education for his children. Yet he allowed them free rein to follow their own lights as they advanced through high school, college, and into successful careers. He never intruded on their lives, but participated in them, and was always there when his help was needed.

Malcolm devotedly attended to Nancy's every need during her extended final illness. After she died in 2015 during the 65th year of their marriage, he lived alone in their Toledo home. He enjoyed regular visits and outings with his children and their families, as well as the company of a series of indoor cats. An accomplished "cat whisperer," Malcolm befriended several feral outdoor cats– among them Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, Black Kitty, and Ellie. She and two of her boys now live contentedly with two of Malcolm's kids.

Malcolm determinedly clung to his independence as his skills, capabilities, and faculties declined, then accepted, and expressed gratitude for, the help of his children without ever asking for it. In his final years he was under the expert care of Mary Sue Buehler, CNP, to whom his family is deeply grateful.

Malcolm is survived by his children: Rob (Deanna) of Canadian Lakes, Michigan; Chris (Laurie) of Westland, Michigan; Laurie Kantner (David Heritier) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Jim (Christa) of Toledo.

His surviving grandchildren include Meaghan (Chad) Aiello of Canton, Michigan; John (Anne Simpson) Kantner of Ypsilanti, Michigan; Robert (Casey) Kasher of Asheville, North Carolina; Daniel Wucherer (Liz Kelly) of Cincinnati, Ohio; Al Heritier (Madeleine Erba) of Ann Arbor; Eric Wucherer (Emily Bonem) of Ann Arbor; Jason Kantner of Erie, Colorado; and Jarrod Kantner of New Port Richey, Florida.

His brother Perry (Denise) Kantner of Saline, Michigan, also survives him, as well as many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Nancy; and his great-grandson, Evan Michael Ringwelski.

In lieu of flowers, tributes in Malcolm's memory may be made to Paws and Whiskers Cat Shelter, or Maumee Valley Save-a-Pet, both in Toledo.