FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) Norman Atz, the longtime owner of local eatery and ice cream shop Atz’s Ice Cream Shoppe, has died. He was 90.
Atz was the owner and operator of two Atz’s Ice Cream Shoppes in Fort Wayne and the Puritan Ice Cream in Kendallville for 70 years, according to his obituary.
The Atz’s shops at Anthony Boulevard and Tillman Road were shuttered in September 2014, a month after PBS Foods ranked them one of Indiana’s best ice cream places. The eateries were community standards, offering more than 50 types of ice cream and sherbet including banana pudding, happy tracks and tin roof treats for more than 50 years.
Atz was an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and the Stephen Ministry, and a volunteer with the American Red Cross.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Rose Marie Atz of Fort Wayne, sons Jeffrey Atz of Fort Wayne and Terry Atz of Kendallville, nine 9 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Service is 10:30 a.m. Friday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 3425 Crescent Ave., with calling one hour prior. Another calling will be held at D. O. McComb & Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Holy Cross Lutheran School or St. John Lutheran School of Kendallville.