Former Mayor Lange Dies

Former Effingham Mayor John Lange has died after a long battle with cancer. Lange died Thursday at age 67.

Lange, who served as mayor from 2007 to 2011, did not seek re-election. He also served as Effingham Police Chief from 1993 until his retirement in 2003.

Lange began his career with the Effingham Police Department in 1972. He worked patrol for a little over a year before being assigned as a detective where he served for 24 years. He attended the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. 

Lange was also an early participant in the establishment of the Effingham County 911 system and served on the 911 Board for several years. 

Following his retirement from the Effingham Police Department, Lange worked for the Lake Land College Police Department, and also served as interim chief of the Salem Police Department.

One of his happiest assignments was his years driving one of the senior buses for the Effingham County Committee on Aging.

Funeral services for John Lange will be held Thursday morning at 10:30 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8pm Wednesday at the church, and again from 9:30am to 10:15am Thursday at the church. Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham is assisting. The full obituary is on our obituary page on the website.