Sylvester Anthony Bange, 88, of Colby, died Wednesday, January 1, 2020 at Prairie Senior Living Complex, Colby. He was born July 24, 1931, in rural Thomas County, KS, to Joseph and Anna (Schwarz) Bange. Sylvester graduated in 1948 from Hoxie High School. He served in the United States Army from 1953-1955. He farmed and ranched for many years near Menlo, KS and worked at Wal-Mart, in Colby, as a people greeter, from 2005 through January, 2019 On September 26, 1970, Sylvester married Rosemary Rehmer. Sylvester was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Colby and was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #2647. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #363 and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
Sylvester was preceded in death by his parents; wife Rosemary; brothers, Vincent and Raymond Bange; sisters, Agnes Bange and Barbara Rietcheck; sister-in-law Frances Bange and brother-in-law Walter Meitl.
He is survived by his son Christopher (Vicky, of Rexford; grandchildren, Rebecca (Jonathan) Butler, Clayton Bange, Hannah Bange and Jordyn Bange and great grandchildren, Harper Ann and Jaxon Dean; brother Edward Bange, of Garden City, KS; sisters, Rosella Meitl, of Oberlin, KS and Mildred (Dennis) Hill, of Great Bend, KS and brother-in-law Al Rietcheck, of Hoxie, KS.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2020, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 6, 2020 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Colby, with burial in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Sylvester Bange Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com