Obituary: Jack Lentz, 83, of Middletown, A Man Who Loved Cars

Jack Lentz, 83, a lifelong resident of Middletown, died May 4, 2013 at home.

He was born on September 19, 1929 and was the only son of John and Thelma Lentz.  He graduated Middletown High School in 1948 and entered into the Auto Body business in June 1949.  In 1951, Jack served in the U.S. Army and served tours in Korea and Japan as a radio operator.  In 1954 he built his shop, Lentz Auto Body, on Main Street in Belford where he remained in business until he retired in 2010.

Jack was very active in the Middletown community and served as a charter member of the Middletown Jaycees, a charter member, director and past president of the Middletown Chamber of Commerce; as well as serving on many township committees over the years.  Jack also held several offices and was active in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

Jack was well known for his love of antique auto restoration and was a regular at the antique auto shows where he won numerous trophies and awards.    Among the most notable of Jack's vehicles were the 1932 Golden Rod Custom Roadster, a 1953 Studillac and the 1953 Studebaker he drove until his death.  Jack was a longtime member of the Dream Machines Car Club and the Studebaker Car Club.

His passion for quality workmanship also extended to many inventions which he created including the "Toweler" and fanciful lighted metal Christmas trees which covered his yard every year.  He also invented a strobe light protector, a specialized ladder for fueling airplanes, a aviation radio clip, a yoke clipboard and a kneeboard used by many small plane pilots as Jack was also an avid instrument-rated pilot and plane owner for much of his life.

He is predeceased by his wife, Catherine Lentz and a son, John Lentz.  He is survived by his loving partner, Anita Barto ; his children, David Lentz, Kathy Lentz-Habbick and Pamela Stockham;  eight grandchildren, Christian Griffith, Dana Gordon, Kristyn Habbick, Bryan Habbick, Courtney Habbick, Tyler Habbick, Cory Habbick, and Ethan Lentz and four great-grandchildren, Frederick and Emmeline Gordon and Justine and Kai Griffith.

His extended family also includes David's wife, Linda Lentz, and their children Dorothy Macon and Kalen Macon.  In addition to his family Jack leaves many special friends and will be missed by all.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 8, 2013 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown.  A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 10:30 am at Belford United Methodist Church, 180 Church St., Belford, NJ 07718. Burial will follow at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.