Lawrence A. Mantke, 96 / Sept. 17, 1913 – March 7, 2010

Published 10:16 am Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Lawrence A. Mantke, 96

Lawrence A. Mantke, 96, died Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 10:30 p.m. at his home on Fairland Road in Berrien Springs suddenly but of natural causes.

Lawrence was born Sept. 17, 1913 in Niles to Paul L. and Kittie A. (Knight) Mantke. He started school at the North Primary on Fifth Street in Niles where his great-uncle, Paul F. Mantke, and the Dodge brothers went to school. He graduated from Niles High School in 1931. He was on the track and basketball teams and the first golf team in 1928. He was president of the Presidents Club.

He married Lillian Ruth Buck on April 11, 1944 in Macon, Ga. while training for the Army at Camp Wheeler. From there he fought 2-1/2 months on the front line in Europe with the Fifth Infantry Division and was wounded in combat twice. Besides two Purple Hearts, he earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle-Eastern Campaign with Two Stars, the World War II Victory Medal and a medal from France for the liberation of the city of Metz.

He and Lillian retired from the Kawneer Co. on Jan. 30, 1976 with 76 years between them – 33.5 for Lillian and 42.5 for Lawrence. Lillian passed away Sept. 12, 2001 at age 85 after 57 years of marriage.

Lawrence was a life member of the B.P.O. of Elks Niles Lodge 1322; the American Legion Post 26 in Niles; D.A.V. Post 55 in Niles; the Military Order of the Purple Heart 610 Battle Creek; the American Rifle Association; and the Kawneer 25 Year Club. He loved playing softball, golf, bowling, hunting, fishing and enjoyed his grandchildren at the family farm and swimming pool.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; one brother, Kenneth Mantke, who died in November 1960; and two sons, Richard Mantke, who died May 29, 1989 and Alan Mantke, who died April 23, 2003.

Lawrence is survived by his grandchildren, Tom Mantke of Niles, Larry (Vicki) H. Mantke of Niles; Laura (Scott) Rosenhagen of Berrien Springs, Christopher (Patricia) Mantke of Mexico City, Mexico, Linda (Leonard) Dolezan of Benton Harbor, Michael Mantke of Berrien Springs; great-grandchildren, Lisa, Samantha, Brandon, Andrea, Adriana and Marissa Mantke, Jason and Julie Rosenhagen, Jenna and Ryan Dolezan; and one great-great-grandson, Cade Lawrence Mantke.

Funeral services for Lawrence A. Mantke will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 10 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Jim Wing of First Baptist Church in Niles officiating.

Internment will be at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles and will conclude with full military honors by the American Legion Post 51 in Buchanan.

The family will receive friends and relatives beginning at noon Wednesday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Lawrence may be made to the Cade Lawrence Mantke College Fund, c/o Greater Niles Community Federal Credit Union, Niles or to the donor’s choice.