Elmer Lange

Elmer Lange, 89, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, September 13, 2013 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers, Rd., Stevensville with Pastor Jonathan Kruschel officiating. Friends may call beginning at 12:00 P.M. Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Elmer online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Elmer was born October 15, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois to Edward & Emily (Bodtke) Lange. He served his country in the United States Navy. Elmer worked for Crown Cork and Seal in Stevensville for many years. On January 31, 1948, he married LaVerne Marchinke in Chicago. They moved to Southwest Michigan in 1961. Elmer was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the Stevensville American Legion. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, bowling, gardening, tending to his yard and watching sports. Elmer is survived by his two daughters-Gail Lange of St. Joseph, Karen (Richard) Bourcier of Rhinelander, WI; two grandchildren-Michael (Coralie) Bourcier and Tammy (David) Steger; three great-grandchildren-Mackenzie Bourcier, Jack & Minnie Steger; sister Helen Jagielski (100 years old) of Alsip, IL; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife LaVerne Lange, brother Edwin Lange, and sister Frieda Fortier.