TimesLeader.com

May 29
William David Lange

May 14, 2008

William David Lange, 81, of Clarks Summit, died Wednesday, May 14 in the VNA Hospice Unit at Community Medical Center. His wife, the former Anne Mae Wargo, died May 31, 1995. The couple had been married more than 45 years.

Born June 20, 1926, in Lake Ariel, son of the late Oscar and Leona Fowler Lange, he had lived in Clarks Summit since 1956, having moved from Hamlin. He graduated from Lake Ariel High School in 1944 and received a Bachelor of Science in agricultural education from Penn State University. He served in the Army Air Force. Before retiring in 1983, he was employed by Pennsylvania Power and Light for more than 34 years as an environmentalist site engineer. During his retirement, he had served as executive director of the Agriculture Land Preservation Board in Lackawanna County and continued his work as director of the Lackawanna County Conservation District. He was a recipient of the special service award and was cited by the National Association of Conservation Districts for his urban conservation efforts. He served on the state Conservation Commission for more than 22 years. He was president of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, and the state association honored him with the inaugural William Lange Urban Conservation Award.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Church, Clarks Summit, and was an usher greeter for the 7 a.m. Mass on Sundays. He was a member of the Penn State Alumni Association and was a former member of the Abington Lions Club, where he served as a past president. Bill was a genuine, practical person who always had a smile for others. His natural abilities and concerns for the environment were for everyone’s future. A Penn State fan, he was a devoted family man and loving father who cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are a son, Thomas, Lake Winola; a daughter, Suzanne Gilpin and husband, Ralph, Lake Winola; two brothers, Jack and wife, Catherine, Harrisburg; and Oscar and wife, Eileen, Allentown; a sister, Betty Ammerman and husband, Lyle, Newfoundland; four grandchildren, including his granddaughter and caregiver, Kerstin Davidheiser, Dalton; Michael and Laura Gilpin and Judy Pirnia; two great-grandchildren, Madison and Nancey; nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Nancey Marie Lange, on Dec. 30, 2004.

The funeral was to be at Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit, to be celebrated by Monsignor James J. McGarry. Interment, Hopedale-Moravian Cemetery, Newfoundland. Arrangements by the Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit, 18411. For more information, directions or to send an online condolence, visit www.jenningscalvey.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Snows Building Fund, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit, 18411 or the President’s Association of Northeast Area Conservation District, 509 Capital Court NE, Washington, D.C., 20002.