Harold J. “Skip” Lange, 93, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away at 4:10 a.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024 at the Galena Stauss Senior Care Community in Galena, with his family by his side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at St. Mary’s Church in East Dubuque, with Fr. Dennis Vargas officiating. Burial will follow in the East Dubuque Cemetery, with a flag presentation by American Legion Post # 787.

Family and friends may call from 4 – 8 p.m. on Monday at the Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque, where the Parish Rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. Monday. Members of the East Dubuque Fire Dept. will meet in a group at 6:15 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. There will also be a visitation on Tuesday from 8:45 – 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

Skip was born on May 10, 1930 in East Dubuque, the son of Joseph J. and Rena A. (Grassel) Lange. He was a graduate of East Dubuque High School. Skip was united in marriage to Mary Jean Thill on October 6, 1956 at Holy Ghost Church in Dubuque.  She preceded him in death on February 12, 2023.

He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy serving from February 20, 1951 – December 10, 1954 during the Korean Conflict. Skip was formerly employed with Larry Weitz Sign Systems and formerly worked for Frank Hardie Advertising for many years. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church and its Holy Name Society. A member of the East Dubuque K. of C. Council # 7527. A retired member of the East Dubuque Volunteer Fire Dept where he served for 25 years, also serving as Chief for 15 years. Past President of the Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois Fireman’s Association and former Board Member for 12 years.

Surviving are four sons, Rich (Brenda) Lange, Pat (Gina) Lange, Ken (Kelli) Lange, Marty (Michelle) Lange, four daughters, Kathy (John) Williams, Karen (Joe) Schultz, Jennifer (Brian) McLane, all of East Dubuque and Joanne (Brian) Kirby of Bernard, IA; 24 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Mary Thill, Mary Jo Lange and Phyllis Lange; and many nieces and nephews.

Skip was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Rena, his wife Mary Jean, his in-laws, Kenneth and Genevieve Thill, his siblings, Elaine “Pal” (Bill) Potter, Dale (Joyce) Lange, Gerald Lange, Bob Lange, and Joe (Carol) Lange, and his brother-in-law, Robert Thill.

The Lange family wish to thank the nurses and staff at Galena Stauss Senior Care Community and Hospice of Dubuque for the special care provided to their father.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com©