David L. Klontz

David "Dave" Klontz, age 78, of Heath, Ohio, passed away on January 20, 2025, in the Selma Markowitz Hospice Center. Born in 1946, Dave lived a full and impactful life, marked by his dedication to God, his family, his friends, his community, education, and the sport of baseball. Dave was born in Springfield, Ohio and was raised working on his Grandfather's farm. He moved to New Carlisle and attended Tecumseh High School for two years before his family relocated to Heath, Ohio in 1962. Dave was famously chosen by Superintendent Rod Swank to be the first student to enter the newly opened Heath High School building. He was a varsity letter winner in football, basketball, and baseball both years at Heath and graduated in 1964. He continued his education at Bethel College (Mishawaka, IN), earning his degree in 1968 while also playing both baseball and basketball for the college. A four-year varsity letter winner in both sports, Klontz was honored as the MVP of the baseball team in 1967 and 1968 and the 1968 Bethel College Outstanding Athlete. In 1977, Klontz received his master's degree from Xavier University. In the fall of 1968, Dave began his teaching career in the Heath City Schools at Garfield Elementary, where he taught physical education. Throughout his tenure, he also taught at Fulton Middle School and finally landed at Heath High School teaching PE, Health, and occasional Social Studies courses. His love for teaching was matched by his passion for coaching, and in 1972, he became the head coach of the Heath Bulldogs baseball team. Under his leadership, the team achieved great success, including winning two state championships in 2002 and 2007. Dave's coaching career was decorated with numerous accolades, including multiple hall of fame inductions and the American Baseball Coaches Association Ethics in Coaching Award in 2015. When discussing being awarded the national ethics in coaching award, he summarized his sense of responsibility in coaching by saying, “I always felt if a kid came into our program, and wasn't a good person, that wasn't his fault, but if he spent time with us, and still wasn't a better person, that was our fault.” He received any accolade with self-deprecating humility, passing credit along to his family, assistant coaches, and players. As a teacher and coach, Dave poured his whole heart into developing the next generation. He believed in “passing the baton,” often telling students exactly what he wished someone had told him at their age. Over 48 years of coaching, culminating in his retirement in 2016, he shaped countless young athletes and meticulously maintained the Heath Baseball field, which was later named in his honor. Though baseball was a lifelong passion, his true calling was to encourage others—he was known for a warm word of support, a belief in people's potential, and even remembering their favorite coffee order. Dave's commitment to community was boundless; in his eyes, anyone he met belonged to it. He loved God, his family, and the broad circle of people he encountered, consistently modeling faith, integrity, and compassion. With a love of history and storytelling, he was full of “Klontzisms,” such as his reminder that “You live life forward and understand it backwards.” Constant and present, he led by example and strived every day to strengthen future generations. Beyond education and coaching, Dave also served his church family at the Heath Church of Christ as a leader and teacher, and he took great delight in playing harmonica with The Bean Boys. Dave was preceded in death by his father, Woodrow Klontz, and his mother, Jane Shellabarger Klontz. He is survived by his loving wife, Sheila Kackley Klontz; his children, Amanda (Brian) Derico of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Adam (Melody) Klontz of Heath, Ohio; his beloved grandchildren, Owen and Eli Derico of Cincinnati, and David, Isaiah, Ariana, and Giovani Klontz of Heath; and his siblings, Ted Klontz of Colorado and Cheryl Klontz Bill of New York. He is also survived by numerous cousins, extended family, and a host of friends and former students who were touched by his warmth, dedication, and mentorship. A celebration of Dave's life will be held at 5pm, on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the HEATH CHURCH OF CHRIST, 1331 Chapel Way, Heath, OH 43056, where family and friends will gather to honor his legacy and the indelible mark he made on his community, students, and athletes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Coach Hardin/Coach Klontz Bulldogs Forever Scholarship Fund or Ohio's Hospice - Newark/Columbus region. The family is also collecting stories, memories, and thoughts of their beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather. These can be sent to coachklontz@gmail.com.