WIlliam Edward Lange

LANGE, William Edward, age 87 of West Alexandria, OH. passed away Sun. July 29, 2012 in Eaton.  He was born March 12, 1925 in Preble County to William E. Lange and Lizzie Peterman Lange at the Lange Family farm on Engle Road in West Alexandria.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Jo Ann (Richards) Lange, who passed away on June 16, 2010, a sister, Carolyn (Lange) Smith and an infant brother.  Bill is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa Ann and Stephen R. Bruns, of Eaton, OH, 2 special grandchildren, Andrew S. Bruns, a student at the Columbia University College of Law, New York City and Molly Elizabeth Lange Bruns a student at Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA.  and many special friends and neighbors.  He was a 1943 graduate of West Alexandria High School and went to grade school in a one room school house.  Bill held numerous offices and only missed one of his 69 alumni banquets.   He was a lifelong member of Salem Lutheran Church in West Alexandria, serving on church counsel and as financial secretary for over 30 years.  He was a farmer all of his life and operated Lange's Seed and Sales service, where he ran his custom seed cleaning service for many years.  Bill was a member of the Preble County Soil and Water Conservation District, Preble County Farm Bureau member and a past Twin Township Clerk, where he served for over 32 years.  Bill was also a substitute bus driver, member of the Preble County Historical Society and served on the Preble County 4-H Advisory Committee.  He was a founding committee member of the Preble County Pork Festival and for more than 30 years, with his wife Jo Ann, ran the  Pork Haus Short Order Stand. Bill and Jo Ann were named Grand Marshalls of the 1999 Port Festival Parade in recognition of their years of service.  One of his highlights was winning the 1959 and 1960 Free for all class tractor pull at the Preble County Fair.  He pulled 32,060 pounds with his Case 800 Diesel Case-o-matic Drive.  Funeral services will be held   10:30 A.M. Thurs. Aug. 2, 2012 at Salem Lutheran Church, 70 E. Dayton St., West Alexandria, OH.  Burial will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery, West Alexandria, OH. Friends may call at Salem Lutheran Church on Wed. from 6-8PM.   Memorial contributions may be made to the Preble County 4-H Committee or Hospice of Dayton.   For condolences: www.lindloffzimmerman.com