By Staff
Carl E. Laverrenz, 73, of Boca Raton Lane, Niles, died at 12:20 a.m. Friday, May 16, 2008, at his home, following an extended illness.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 19, at the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, with the Rev. Harry L. Clark and Mr. Raymond Fulbright of the church officiating.
Committal will follow at the graveside at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
He was born Laverrenz on Jan. 31, 1935, in Des Moines, Iowa to Eugene Allen and Margaret Bonnie (Beers) Laverrenz.
He graduated from Urbandale (Iowa) High School and attended Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa.
He had lived in Niles, in the same house since 1965.
He was employed for 41 years in sales and engineering at Tyler Refrigeration, Niles, retiring as director of research and development.
He also served in the United States Navy Reserve.
Laverrenz was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, where he served in many capacities including the choir, handbell choir, youth leader and Sunday school teacher.
He enjoyed music and was proficient on the piano. He also enjoyed travel, especially to fish in Missouri, Canada or any of the Great Lakes.
His greatest joy was his family.
On July 25, 1954, in Des Moines, he married Kay F. Neal, who preceded him in death on Dec. 10, 2001.
Surviving family includes their children, Cathy Bybee of Niles; Carla (Dave) Mathis of Niles, Pa, (Randy) Basore of Kalamazoo and Doug Laverrenz of Clive, Iowa; grandchildren, Jami Stone, Nick Bybee, Kayte (Darren) Dunaway, Laure (Doug) Bryant, Brad Mathis, Joseph Shannon and Tiffany Basore and Jordan DeWald; great-grandchildren, Alyssia and Amber Stone and a brother, Gary Laverrenz of Urbandale, Iowa.
Contributions may be made to the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church or to Lakeland Hospital, Niles.
Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.