Mary Jane Lange

Mary Jane (Wills) Lange was welcomed into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 26, 2022 at age 93. To the very end of her earthly life, Mary Jane was a positive, encouraging, faith-filled example to everyone that she met.

Mary Jane was born into a large family on December 10, 1928. She was married to Vernon E. Lange, who passed away in 2012. She is survived by son Bruce (Joan) Lange, daughter Julie (Keith) Prior, son Jeffrey Lange, sister Joanne Branks, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded by a grandson Bran Lange.

Mary Jane and Vern loved their cottage on Piatt Lake in Upper Michigan. For many years they had a productive garden at their home on Wilmington Avenue and canned many vegetables each summer. One very enjoyable vacation was a New England cruise taken with a group of church friends.

Mary Jane and Vern were one of twelve founding families of Fairhaven Church, which is now a multisite church in Dayton, Ohio, with a ministry to thousands of people. Mary Jane was the last surviving founding member who has continued to attend all fifty-eight years of the church’s history. Just days before her death she expressed with her upbeat voice, that she was so glad that new people are still coming to Fairhaven, and finding hope in Jesus there!

Mary Jane’s lasting influence on many people’s lives came through her years as a church secretary at Fairhaven. The pastor who hired her, Ron Julian, Sr., said that she demonstrated a consistent reliability as a servant of Christ. When people asked questions about the church or church family, Rev. Julian often said, good-humoredly but seriously, “Ask Mary Jane.” In all the growth and changes through the years, Mary Jane has been a constant smiling supporter of the church that she loved so much. Through the Pastoral tenure of Rev. Pete Schwalm, DD, and now Rev. David Smith, DD, Mary Jane worked and prayed and blessed several generations of God’s family.

A gathering of family & friends for Mary will be held Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Fairhaven Church, 637 E Whipp Rd, Centerville, Ohio 45459, followed by a memorial service at 1:00 PM. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tobias-funeral.com for the Lange family.