Langerak, Esley O. 1920-2006

LANGERAK, RHODES, SAWIN

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/29/2006 at 20:03:46

Esley O. Langerak, age 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 23, 2006, in Greenville, Delaware, after a long illness.

Born in 1920 in Pella, Iowa, Esley was the son of William and Berdina Langerak. He graduated from Central College in Pella and worked briefly as a high school teacher in Garden Grove, Iowa. Esley served in the army during World War II and used the G. I. Bill to earn his Masters and Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Delaware. Upon graduation Esley began a 35 year career with the DuPont company holding various positions in research, human resources and management of Jackson Laboratory in Deepwater, New Jersey.

Esley is survived by his wife Marian "Marnie" Sawin Langerak, daughter Kristin DeMesse, daughter and son-in-law Beth and Jim Selsor, all of Wilmington, son and daughter-in-law Pete and Kim Still Langerak of Greensboro, NC and grandchildren Sophie DeMesse, Stephen and Margaret Selsor and Stephanie, Ryan and Kelly Langerak. Esley is also survived by his sisters Bernice Vandevoort of Pella, Iowa and Dorothy Eaton of Newton, Iowa as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins in the Pella area.

Esley was predeceased by his first wife of over fifty years, Elizabeth Rhodes Langerak, and by his grandson, Philip DeMesse.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to one of the following: Delaware Hospice, 3515 Silverside Rd., Wilm., DE 19810, Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, 101 Old Kennett Rd., Wilm., DE 19807, the Delaware Chapter of the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720.

The Pella Chronicle, March 17, 2006