Submitted by: Dan Rich
Richard William Mangus
July 23, 1930 - Feb. 4, 2008
South Bend Tribune 2/6/2008
LAKEVILLE - Richard William Mangus, 77, a lifelong
resident of Lakeville, passed away at 3:39 p.m. on Monday,
February 4, 2008, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend. Mr. Mangus
was born on July 23, 1930, in Lakeville, to the late Walter F.
and Elizabeth "Betty" (Deck) Mangus.
On June 24, 1951, in Lakeville, he married
the former Mary E. Annis, who survives. Along with his
wife, Mary of 56 years, survivors include one daughter, Marcia S.
(Rick) Forrester of LaFontaine, IN; four sons, Russell G.
(the late Catherine) Mangus of Valparaiso, Richard D. (fiancé,
Clarice Holloway) Mangus of Walkerton, Ronald L. (Heidi)
Mangus of Noblesville and Ryan D. Mangus of Indianapolis; seven
grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Eileen
(Kenneth) Isenberg of Lakeville, Mary Ann (Rich) BonDurant
of Bremen and Barbara Sauers of Langhorne, PA; and one
brother, Walter L. (Sue) Mangus of Pecatonica, IL.
Mr. Mangus was a dairy farmer for 60 years,
working with the family business, Mangus Dairy Farms. This
consisted of milking the cows, bottling the milk, and delivering
the product to the customer. Mr. Mangus was a member of the
County Line Brethren Church where he served as past moderator of
the church and was currently vice moderator. He was also the
former building chairman for the church. He had been a 50-year
member of the Lakeville Masonic Lodge #353, F&AM, a 50-year
member of the Order of the Eastern Star #479, Lakeville, and a
50- year member of the Lakeville Lions Club. Mr. Mangus was a
member of the Farm Bureau, Indiana Farmers Union, 4-H member for
10 years and a 4-H leader for 45 years. Mr. Mangus was a State
Representative of Indiana for 32 years, serving honorably from
1972 - 2004. He was a member of the State Republican Committee
for five years and vice chairman of the District Republican
Committee. Mr. Mangus also held many General Assembly
Chairmanships including House Election Committee for 6 years,
House Environmental Committee for 6 years and Chairman of Natural
Resources for 4 years. He was a 3-time recipient of the Sagamore
of the Wabash honor, served his country with the Indiana National
Guard and was a friend of Potato Creek State Park. Mr. Mangus was
also appointed by the Governor as a member of the Department of
Natural Resources Commission.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 8, 2008, in the County Line Brethren Church, 69988 U.S. 31 South, Lakeville. Graveside services and burial will follow at Fair Cemetery, North Liberty. Friends may visit with the family from 2 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 7th, at the Newton Center, 801 N. Michigan Street, Lakeville, and one hour prior to services in the church on Friday. Palmer Funeral Home, Lakeville, is assisting the Mangus family with funeral arrangements. Contributions in memory of Richard William Mangus may be donated to the County Line Brethren Church, 69988 U.S. 31 South, Lakeville, IN 46536; or to the Brethren Retreat Center, 9095 W. 275 North, Shipshewana, IN 46585.