Elmer A Lange

Elmer Alfred Lange, 81, of St. Libory, died August 7, 2021, at Red Bud Regional Care Center after courageously battling Glioblastoma.

He was born January 12, 1940, in rural St. Libory, Illinois, a son of Robert and Clara, nee Mueller, Lange.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Kyle Stellhorn, a brother, Edwin Lange, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Severin and Eleanor Sommer, brother-in-law, Bill Reckel, and special cousin-in-law, Carolyn Nordhaus.

Elmer is survived by his wife Rosalie, nee Sommer, of St. Libory, whom he married on February 19, 1963 at St. Liborius Catholic Church; children, Terri (Marty) Stellhorn of Red Bud, Tim (Julie) Lange of St. Libory, Tricia (Jason) Schleifer of Okawville, and Tyann (Tommy) Thomson of Hazel Green, AL; grandchildren, Katie (Travis) Liefer, Karlee (George Baker) Stellhorn, Megan and Grant Schleifer, Owen and Tess Lange, and Trey, Nate, and Ellie Thomson; great-grandchildren, Samuel and Noah Liefer; special cousin, Leroy Nordhaus; sisters-in-law Ann Marie Reckel and Barbara Sommer; and numerous family and friends.

Elmer graduated from Cathedral High School in 1958.  After serving in the U.S. Army, he worked as a farmer on his family’s Centennial Farm and as an employee of Mueth Hatchery.  He later became an owner/operator of the HLM Purina Dealership and retired after being an employee of Top Ag.

He was a member of the St. Liborius Catholic Church, where he served as a Hospitality Minister and a former Parish Council member. Elmer was a member of the Henry Schmitz American Legion Post #683, where he served as past Commander and current member of the Honor Guard.  He was a Board Member of the Catholic Holy Family Society, Council #37.  He was a former member of the Freeburg Community High School Board of Education, former St. Libory Village Clerk, and former member of the St. Libory Moose Lodge.

Sports were Elmer’s passion.  He played for the St. Libory Saints in the Mon-Clair Baseball League for over twenty years, some of those as player/manager.  He played in the Mon-Clair All Star Game several times and is a member of the Mon-Clair Hall of Fame.  Elmer played on various slow-pitch softball teams throughout the years and finished his playing days in the Clinton County Old Timers League.  He coached several youth and women’s softball teams, most notably the Golden Girls and HLM Checkerettes.  He managed the St. Libory Ball Diamond with his family for many years.  He was a retired IHSA baseball and softball umpire.

Elmer loved playing cards every morning at Dave’s West End and listening to music by Marty Robbins.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially attending the activities of his grandkids and playing with his great-grandsons.

In lieu of all other gifts, please make donations to the St. Liborius Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 331, St. Libory, IL  62282 or to St. Liborius Church, P.O. Box 331, St. Libory, IL for Masses.

Visitation: From 4 to 7 PM Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 at St. Liborius Catholic Church in St. Libory, IL and Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 from 8:30 to 9:45 AM at church.

Funeral: A funeral Mass will be held 10 AM Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 at St. Liborius Catholic Church with Father Paul Wienhoff celebrating.  Burial with military honors will follow in St. Liborius Catholic Cemetery.