Saturday, June 17th, 2023
Leroy Lange
Leroy Henry Lange, age 94, of St. Henry, died on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, surrounded in love by his children and family.
He was born August 26, 1928, in St. Henry, to the late Louis & Anna (Selhorst) Lange. On November 20, 1954, in Frenchtown, he married Ilene 'Beany' (Neargarder) Lange, and she preceded him in death on March 22, 2015.
Leroy is survived by six children, Dan & Jody Lange of St. Henry, Nancy & Kevin Robie of Springboro, Fred & Shelli Lange of Kansas City, Missouri, Gary & Margaret (Peg) Lange of New Bremen, Kevin & Lisa Lange of St. Henry, and Linda Mescher & Bryan Weber of Bellbrook, 22 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and one on the way. Also surviving Leroy are siblings and in-laws: Frances Gehret of Ft. Loramie, Louis & Martha Lange of Wapakoneta, Edna Lange of St. Henry, Sally Lange of St. Henry, and Ruth Neargarder of Briarwood Village in Coldwater, with whom he shared a special bond and companionship during his later years in life. He also leaves behind many, many nieces and nephews who looked up to him as a man of strong faith and commitment to family.
In addition to his wife and parents, Leroy was preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Elmer Lange, Gene Lange, Marie & Albert Pottkotter, Cleo & Ralph Strete, Wilma & Sylvester Dues, Sr. Agnes Lange, C.PP.S, Dot & Don Beers, Cyril & Margie Lange, Rita & Joe Schroer, Lawrence Gehret, Cletus Lange, Lester and Rita Schmidt, Carl Neargarder, Don & Flora Neargarder, Virginia & Millard Sparks, Marion and Joan Neargarder, and his father- and mother- in-law, Chelcie & Alfreda Neargarder.
Leroy was a devout Christian who built his life on a foundation of prayer, love and hard work. He was a lifetime member of St. Henry Catholic Church, where he served in countless ways, including as a long-time funeral mass server. He was a lifelong member of the St. Henry Knights of Columbus, a life member of Celina Moose, and was a 2022 honorary graduate of St. Henry High School.
Leroy was a great gardener and loved to walk visitors around his property to share stories about inventions he created, including his custom-built purple martin houses which brought him joy as he'd listen to the birds and count the number of eggs laid each year. He was an avid fan of the Cincinnati Reds and enjoyed volunteering at the Senior Citizens Center in Celina with Beany.
He was a farmer and a welder by trade, and he retired from Minster Machine at the age of 62. Leroy and Beany enjoyed playing cards and square dancing, especially with their friends in the St. Mary's Tri-Squares. Leroy will be remembered as a humble, selfless man who helped so many others. He lit up every room he entered with his fun, ornery, joyful spirit. He was a competitive player of "last tag" with his grandchildren whom he loved dearly.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, July 3, 2023, at St. Henry Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Henry Cemetery, St. Henry.
Friends may call on Sunday, July 2, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM and on Monday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater. Memorials may be made to EverHeart Hospice. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.
