Lesley Anne Schantz
Lesley Anne Schantz (“Tae” to some family), age 61, of Maple Grove Township, Michigan, passed away peacefully at her home with family by her side on December 29, 2025.
Lesley was born on August 5, 1964, in Fremont, Michigan, the daughter of Joseph and Connie (McKee) Briggs. During her childhood, the family relocated to the Charlotte area and later moved to Nashville, where she graduated from Maple Valley High School in 1982.
After completing her education, Lesley attended Kellogg Community College’s nursing program, graduating in 1996 as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). She devoted over 12 years to nursing, working at Battle Creek Community Hospital and several local nursing homes. Lesley had a deep love for caring for older adults and found great fulfillment in serving others.
Lesley married and had two sons, Matthew and Donald. Later, she married Duane Schantz on August 12, 1989, at the family pond in Nashville. Together, Duane and Lesley built a life and home on the Nashville farm, creating countless memories filled with love and laughter.
Lesley treasured time with her family. She especially enjoyed her children and grandchildren and was well known for attending and cheering at every sporting event and always bringing snacks to share. Pool days at the farm were a favorite, with grandchildren and their friends swimming and playing and the freezer was always stocked with ice cream. She loved keeping everyone fed and rarely said the word “no” to her “grandbabies”. She also loved her dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks, some of which she adopted after they were found by her grandchildren.
Lesley enjoyed traveling with her cousin Lisa Briggs and experienced her first cruise this past winter. Another memorable time was a road trip through Virginia and West Virginia, including a visit to Graceland.
Lesley also enjoyed spending time doing family genealogy with her sister Shannon, whom lovingly helped care for Lesley during hard times until the very end along with Duane and her boys.
Lesley is survived by her loving husband, Duane Schantz; her children, Matthew (Angela, grandchildren Cole, Payton and Annica) Joppie and Donald (Jennifer, grandsons Owen and Chase) Joppie; stepchildren Derek Schantz and Brandon (Carmelle) Schantz; three step grandchildren; her siblings Shannon Briggs, Andrea Montgomery, and Joline Briggs; her father, Joseph Briggs, 13 nephews, one niece and many other extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Connie Briggs-McKee; her brother-in-law, Mark Montgomery; and her great-aunt, Lois Webster, “Aunt Bunny”, and her grandmother Marian McKee.
A celebration of Lesley’s life will be held at a later date.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 E M79 Hwy, Nashville, Michigan. For more information, please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.