Obituary of Donald J. Lanz

Oneida-Donald J. Lanz of N. Lake Street passed away in his home surrounded by the devotion of his loving family on Wednesday morning, December 18, 2025 after a short illness at the age of 77.

  He was born on March 9, 1948 in Oneida, NY a son of the late Thomas S. and Madeline (Graves) Lanz and was a graduate of Oneida High School.

  On November 14, 1967 Don enlisted with the United States Navy serving during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged on September 1, 1971. He then reenlisted with the Army National Guard where he served for twenty years retiring in 1998.

  On November 20,1971 Don and Mary Jane Mills were united in marriage in Oneida, New York and have shared this loving union of over fifty-four years together,

  Prior to his retirement Don was employed with the Oneida Limited Silversmiths in the hollowware casting department.

  Don’s love for sports began when he played high school football and was nicknamed “Hands Lanz”. His sports enthusiasm continued as a fan of Syracuse sports, the New York Giants and the New York Yankees. His NASCAR favorite was #54 Ty Gibbs.

  Don lived his life with a deep Christian faith and was very active with the Cochran Memorial Presbyterian Church and the Caring Kitchen. He followed in the tradition of his family as a caretaker of the Oneida Castle Cemetery in Oneida Castle where he groomed the grounds for many years.

  Surviving is his wife, Mary Jane Lanz, two sons, Chris T. Lanz and companion Sharon, Paul G. (Ashley) Lanz and daughter Jillian M. Lanz and companion Jamie, his beloved grandchildren; Kailee, Kaleb, Grace, Savannah, Katelyn, Adeline and “bonus granddaughter Annabelle”. One brother Charlie Lanz of Oneida Castle, two sisters, Geraldine Haskell of Fl and Patricia Trost of NC and “my other brother Kevin Bailey”; and several nieces, nephews and very special friends.

  Don was predeceased by his daughter Stacey L. Lanz, his parents Thomas and Madeline, brothers, George Lanz and Arthur Lanz and sister, Elizabeth Houseman.

  Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, December 26, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Malecki Funeral Home Inc., 23 Front Street, Vernon, NY. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Cochran Memorial Presbyterian Church, 11 State Street, Oneida Castle NY, 13421. Spring burial with military honors will be in Oneida Castle Cemetery, 2^nd Ave. Oneida Castle, NY. In memory of Don, donations may be sent to Cochran Memorial Presbyterian Church or Hospice & Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY, 13413.  Online condolences may be sent to maleckifuneralhome.com