Emerson Lavern (E.L.) Prange, Jr., age 88 of Alma, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Good Shepherd Care Community in Concordia, Missouri.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Concordia, with Pastor Aubrey Burk officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Shelbyville, MO. Memorials are suggested to Shiloh Christian Children’s Ranch, 601 N. Center St., Shelbina, MO 63468 or Center for Specialized Services, 11828 Lackland Rd., St. Louis, MO 63146. Condolences may be mailed to Marilyn Prange, P.O. Box 849, Concordia, MO 64020. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com
E.L. was born July 4, 1934, at home in rural Shelbyville, the son of Emerson Lavern Prange, Sr. and Helen Laverne Gaines Prange. He graduated from Freeman Rural School, Shelbyville High School, and University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture.
On June 4, 1955, E. L. was united in marriage to Marilyn Werr and the two were sweethearts for over 67 years. They lived and farmed west of Shelbyville. He was a member of the Shelbyville Christian Church where he served as Sunday school superintendent, church board member, and member of the Church Camp Board. After moving to Alma in 2014 due to health issues and to be near his daughter and son-in-law, he attended Waverly Christian Church.
E.L. was a retired Shelby County farmer and an employee of the U. S. Department of Agriculture as a field assistant for FSA. He also worked as a parts manager for Meyer Implement Co. of Monroe City. E. L. was a member of the Shelbyville Civic Club and served as city alderman for 19 years. He was a blood donor and donated 16 gallons throughout his life. E. L. was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, enjoyed spending time with his family, and traveling.
E.L. is survived by his wife, Marilyn; three daughters: Dotty (Dan) Steimke of Ogden, Utah; Donna (Paul) Jackson of Ballwin; Kathy (Mike) Knipmeyer of Alma; seven grandchildren: Stephanie (Phil) Muirhead of Salt Lake City, Utah; Heidi (Daniel) Wambaugh of Bend, Oregon; Amy (John) Carricaburu of Boise, Idaho; Adam Jackson of Ballwin; Travis (Kathleen) Jackson of Kansas City; Jennifer (Zach) Wiemer of McFarland, Wisconsin; Jeff (Lauren) Knipmeyer, Alma; eight great-grandchildren: Shane and Wesley Muirhead, Ann and Elizabeth Jackson, June and Sylvie Wiemer, Kendall and Mason Knipmeyer, and baby boy Carricaburu due in March. Also surviving are two brothers: Don (Mary Ann) Prange of Shelbyville and John (Lori) Prange of Oley, Pennsylvania; brother-in-law John (Mary) Werr of Shelbyville; along with many nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Betty Werr; and one nephew David Werr.