Lewis G. "Louie" Langler's Obituary
Mr. Lewis Gene “Louie” Langler, age 80, passed away Wednesday, February 23, 2005 quietly at his home following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born July 24, 1924 in Muskegon, MI to Leonard and Alice (Newman) Langler and lived most of his life in this area. On July 12, 1947, he married the former Mary Irma Panzl and she preceded him in death on June 8, 2000. Louie proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII, participating in three invasions in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre aboard the USS Wharton. Louie was a truck driver for Van Eerdan Produce, retiring after 28 years. Louie was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church and was a lifetime member of the VFW #446. He was also a member of the Muskegon Gun Club and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Louie was known for great storytelling and would strike up a conversation with anyone he met. Louie had a way of making people feel special. Louie and his beloved wife, Mary, enjoyed dancing and socializing at the Eagles. He loved watching Westerns, the Little Rascals and the Three Stooges. His favorite TV character was “Barney Fife” from the Andy Griffith Show. Louie loved to travel and especially loved camping at St. Mary’s Lake with his family and friends where he enjoyed fishing, barnyard golf and sitting around the campfire swapping stories and telling other fishing lies. In 2004 Louie was able to attend his Ship Reunion of the USS Wharton, almost 60 years after his military tour of duty. This was an experience he would never forget. Louie truly loved life, but most importantly he loved his family above all else. He will be greatly missed. SURVIVORS include his children, Daniel (Julie) Langler of Humble, TX, Sandy (Bob) Smith of Montague, Joanne Langler of Parkersburg, WV, Anne (Larry) Kuiper of Grand Haven; seven grandchildren, Amber and Luis Ortiz, Jarett and Elizabeth Langler, Shelley (Mark) Fairchild, Roberta (Kerry) Clements and Sara Kuiper; three great grandchildren, David (Nina) Botello, Jen Clements, and Charlie Fairchild; one sister, Marlene (Don) Groothuis of Muskegon; three sisters-in-law, Betty Hulka, Gert (Darryl) Barnes, Mary Langler; special friends -- Betty and Harry Tanner; and several nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by two infant children, Lawrence and Kathryn, brothers, Richard and Clifford Langler, and sister, Norma Zimmer. THE FUNERAL LITURGY will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Monday, February 28, 2005 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Phillip A. Sliwinski presiding. INTERMENT will take place at Mona View Cemetery. VISITATION with Louie’s family will be 6-8 PM Saturday and 2-4 and 6-8 PM Sunday at the Sytsema Funeral Home, 737 Apple Avenue, (231) 726-5210. A Scripture Service will take place at 6:00 PM Sunday evening. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be made to St. Thomas Catholic Church Memorial Fund or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guestbook on-line at www.sytsemafh.com
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