Obituary of Bernard Michael Bange

Mass of Christian Burial for Bernard Bange of Elsberry, MO will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 26, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elsberry. Fr. Charles Tichacek, church pastor, will officiate with burial in Elsberry City Cemetery in Elsberry. Serving as pallbearers will be Jimmy Henry, Bill Lagemann, Kevin Hailey, Kevin Seely, Larry Carter, Jim Heitman and Anthony Bange. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Kindred, Sonny Powelson, Jackie Briscoe, Jeff Muzzey and Bobby Mahurin. Bernard, 94, passed away Wednesday morning, February 21, 2024 at the Elsberry Health Care Center in Elsberry. Born November 8, 1929, in Hospers, IA he was the oldest of eight children born to Valentine Henry and Genevieve Theresa Friedrich Bange. The family moved to a farm in the Elsberry area in January 1940. He attended Sand Ridge School, graduating 8th grade in 1944. Following the death of his father, Bernard took over the farming operation. He later earned his GED. Bernard was united in marriage on October 18, 1958 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elsberry to Donna Marie Gray. To this union, four children were born: Maria Ann, Mary Elizabeth, Michael Alan and Jennifer Leigh. Bernard began working part time at Galloway Brothers in January 1954 and shortly later began working as a full time mechanic until the business closed. He then continued to operate B. Bange Repair until retirement in 2022. Bernard was a member of the United States Army Reserve, Company B 407th Regiment of the 102nd Division. He attained the rank of E6 Sergeant, serving as Supply Sergeant until the unit disbanded in 1966. Bernard joined the Elsberry Volunteer Fire Department in 1967, becoming Chief after the death of Fire Chief Edward Yeager in 1970. In 1999 the Elsberry Fire Protection District was formed, appointing Bernard as Secretary-Treasurer. Bernard retired as Fire Chief in 2007 and continued to serve on the Board until his retirement in 2021. Bernard began reading the newspaper at an early age and continued to do so for the rest of his life. He never saw a newspaper he didn’t read to keep up with the local and world news. Even when traveling, a newspaper was a must! Very few days passed that Bernard didn’t enjoy his ice cream, usually twice a day. It was often said that Bernard observed the 3 F’s: Faith, Family and Fire Department. He was a devout Catholic and longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Bernard was a loving husband, father, grandfather and served his community as a member of the Elsberry Fire Department for 54 years. Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, Valentine and Genevieve Bange; two daughters: Jennifer Bange and Mary Elizabeth Bange; brothers: Cecil, Joe, Francis, Art and Herbert Bange; and sister, Isabelle Capps. Survivors include his beloved wife of 65 years, Donna Bange of Elsberry; daughter, Maria Gilbert and her husband, Robert, of Elsberry; son, Mike Bange and his wife, Janelle, of Elsberry; and his grandchildren: Sara Cutter-Behn and her husband, Randy, Anthony Bange and his wife, Mattie, Emily Bange, Nikki Gilbert and Stephen Gilbert and his wife, Meghann. Bernard also leaves one sister, Clara Hammond and her husband, Manford of Elsberry; one brother-in-law, Ralph Gray and his wife, Kay, of Troy, MO; two sisters-in-law: Alicia Bange and Louise Bange, both of Elsberry; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home; and again from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 26, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to Elsberry Fire Protection District, Joseph R. Palmer Family Memorial Library (or) Sacred Heart Catholic Church in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.