Michael Baker Lange

Michael B. Lange, 80, of Tiffin, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at home, surrounded by his loving family, after battling heart disease for nearly 40 years.  He died on the feast day of St. Joseph.  Michael was born on July 18, 1935, to Gilmore Henry Lange and Ruth Virginia Lange, who are both deceased.  He was a lifelong resident of Tiffin, Ohio.  He attended St. Joseph Elementary School, went to Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin for his first year, and then returned to Calvert High School, where he played football and graduated in 1952.

After graduating from Calvert, he studied civil engineering at the University of Detroit, a Jesuit university, and later switched to pre-law.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy Degree in 1958, and then entered the University of Detroit Law School, from which he graduated in 1961 with a Juris Doctor, with honors. Then he attended New York University School of Law on a Robert Marshall Fellowship.  He was awarded a Master of Taxation Law Degree in 1962, with his thesis on taxation techniques of corporate mergers published in the New York University Tax Law Review.

After a short period in Detroit, he returned to Tiffin in 1963, to set up a law practice.

In 1999, and thereafter, he entered into a partnership with his daughter, Anne Lange DeVine, and her husband, Derek W. DeVine, who is now the Seneca County Prosecutor.  The present law firm has evolved into Lange, DeVine & Claus, LLC, with the addition of partner David J. Claus.  Michael was very proud of his daughter/partner, Anne and his son-in-law, Derek.

Michael loved the practice of law and the opportunity to take a problem off the hands of a client, and help solve it.  He was admitted to practice before the Ohio Supreme Court, the U.S. Tax Court, and the United States Supreme Court.  He was awarded the highest class A rating by Martindale Hubble, the national legal rating agency, every year for over 30 years and received a lifetime recognition award from the same organization.  He also received an award for 50 years of service from the Ohio State Bar Association.

In 1960 he married his college sweetheart, Susanne M. Gerhardstein, whom he met while they were students at the University of Detroit. They have seven children: John (Amita) Lange of North Carolina; Mimi Lange Johnston of Franklin, Tennessee; Anne Lange (Derek) DeVine of Tiffin; Dr. Jeanne Lange (Robert) Ashworth of Worthington, Ohio; Michelle (Shaun) Helkey of Tiffin; Kathleen Lange of Chicago, Illinois; and Anthony Lange (Jennifer Kirby) of Columbus, Ohio.  They also have a former daughter-in-law, Olivia Lange, whom they consider another daughter.  Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Susanne and Ellen Lange; Jordan Lange; Haley and Hannah Johnston; Erin DeVine; and Helen and Sarah Ashworth.  Mike is survived by his sister, Pamela (Charles) McLaurin of Tiffin, along with many nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Daniel P. Lange and David G. Lange.

Michael dearly loved Tiffin Calvert High School and served as president of the school board.  He was an active supporter of the Calvert Foundation, served many years on the Calvert Auction Committee, and was truly honored to be selected to the Calvert Hall of Fame.  Michael was a strong supporter of Tiffin University, having taught business law there for years.  He represented Tiffin University for many years in his practice, and was a proud member of the Tiffin University President’s Club.  Additionally, Michael was a member of St. Joseph Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, the Ohio State Bar Association, and of the Ohio State Bar Committee to interview and approve candidates to the practice of law.

Mike had a wonderful sense of humor.  He loved being with his family and friends and had dear lifelong friends whom he cherished.  He also enjoyed golf, swimming and biking, history, reading and traveling.  He loved his dogs, especially his devoted Willie.  Mike really enjoyed writing his opinions in the Letter to the Editor column of the local Advertiser-Tribune.

The family wishes to extend its love and eternal thanks to Dr. Dinseh Thekdi, Dr. Steven Bruhl, Dr. Christopher Sears, Dr. Benehili Iboaya, and to all his doctors at the Cleveland Clinic-especially Dr. Patrick Whitlow and Dr. Maria Mountis. Also, to Mary Snyder, and Mike’s nephew and niece, Joe and Pat Lange.

Visitation for family and friends will be 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe St. Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113.  A wake service will be at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Prayers will be said at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at the funeral home followed by the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Rev. Joseph Szybka will officiate.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Calvert Foundation in care of the funeral home.

Mike will truly be missed by his family and friends.