Mr. Richard Frank Rangler

Richard Frank Rangler, age 78, of Centreville,Mich., died peacefully Saturday afternoon, April 19, 2008, with his family at his bedside.

Dick was born on Aug. 17, 1929 at home in Centreville to Alta (Hite) Rangler and Frank Edward Rangler. He was baptized by the Methodist Church minister.

He attended Centreville Schools where he was a star basketball player, graduating in 1947.

Dick joined the U.S. Navy and completed basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station at Chicago. He was then assigned to serve during the Korean War, aboard the USS LST 542 based out of Norfolk, Va.

In 1950 while on leave he met Josie Smith in Centreville. They dated and kept in touch through letters and phone calls. In September 1951 while on leave, Dick proposed to Josie and they were married in the Centreville United Methodist Church on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1953, by the Rev. Bruce Brown.

In December 1952, Dick was discharged. Two days after coming home, he was working for Chief Merle Godber as a policeman for the Three Rivers Michigan Police Department where he attained the rank of Sergeant and fulfilled 17 years of service.

In September 1969, Dick and Josie purchased a small building on the corner of Main and Clark streets in Centreville. On Dec. 23, 1969 they opened Rangler's Grocery. Five years later they built a larger store at 201 E. Main Street. Later on, they purchased a full-serve station across the street from the grocery store.

In his earlier years, Dick served as a volunteer fireman and was on the Centreville School Board of Education. He was active with the Centreville Band Boosters, Athletic Boosters, and the Centreville Merchants Association. He was a founding member of the Three Rivers Fraternal Order of Police (now the St. Joseph County F.O.P.) Dick had attended Sunday school and church services at the Centreville United Methodist Church with Josie before and after they married.

Dick is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Josie (Smith) Rangler; his children, Candace Rangler, Ed and Dianne (Toney) Rangler, all of Centreville, Clint and Sue (Widdel) Rangler of Sturgis; two wonderful loving grandchildren Toni Marie Rangler of Kalamazoo, and Richard Edward Rangler of Stillwater, Okla.

According to Dick's specific request, there will be no visitation or services. Cremation has taken place. Memorials may be given to the Centreville United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 477 Centreville, MI 49032.

Arrangements by Eley Funeral Homes, Centreville. Constantine, MI 269-435-3505 Centreville, MI 269-467-4115