Engel Corstange

CORSTANGE, ENGEL
of Portage, Michigan Engel Corstange, age 89, went home to be with his Lord on March 27, 2013. Engel was born April 18, 1923 in Goes, the Netherlands, the son of Cornelis and Maria Sinke Corstanje. During World War II he served in the Royal Dutch Navy, then immigrated to the United States where he has been a Portage area resident since 1948. On June 23, 1950, he was united in marriage to Annetta M. Schuring Corstange. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from Western Michigan University. For many years he worked as a building contractor and for 25 years he was an industrial arts teacher with Portage Public Schools. Engel was proud of his Dutch heritage, was very civic minded and throughout the years served the community in many capacities. He was a longtime member of the Portage City Council, serving as Mayor from 1973-85 and in later years continued serving on many city boards. Engel served on the Board of Directors Kalamazoo Area Chrisitan Retirement Association and Board of Directors of Dutch International Society. He was a longtime member of the First Reformed Church of Portage, where he served as Deacon, Elder and was a Sunday School teacher. Surviving are his wife, Annetta Corstange; three sons, David Ilene Corstange of Portage, James Jill Corstange of Richland and Timm Sharon Corstange of Portage; grandchildren, Jason Cindy Corstange, Jeffery Laura Corstange, Erica Justin Meninga, Todd Errin Corstange and Lindsay Ethan Evans; great-grandchildren, Hunter and Brayden Meninga, Emma and David Corstange, Annabelle Evans, Kenzy, Ryker, Taygan and Crew Corstange, Madelyn, Tyler, Grace and Owen Corstange; sisters, Sara, Moupie, Suus and Mientje all living in The Netherlands; in-laws, Jane Leland Curtiss and Margaret Schuring; cousins, Jean Sinke Hutt, Stanley Sinke and Catrien Sinke; many nieces and nephews. Engel was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother and two sisters. The family will receive friends on Monday, April 1, 2013 from 6-8 PM at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday at the First Reformed Church of Portage 7905 S. Westnedge Ave with Pastor Clayton Smith officiating. A private family interment will be held in Portage Central Cemetery. Memorials in Engel's memory may be directed to the First Reformed Church of Portage; Portage Athletic Foundation or a charity of your choice.