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Michael Lander, Jr.

EAST LIVERPOOL — Michael Lander, Jr., 96, of East Liverpool passed away Friday, March 1, 2019 at his home.

He was born in Sighisoara, Romania, a small village outside of Transylvania on June 12, 1922, a son of the late Michael and Suzanna (Arz) Lander, Sr.

At the age of seven he and his family, through sponsorship, arrived on Ellis Island and ultimately settled in Martins Ferry, Ohio. After graduating from Martins Ferry High School he joined the Navy and served his new homeland during WWII on the submarine USS Hank.

He married Alice Billos of Martins Ferry. The two had known each other and had been friends since childhood. He and Alice settled in Shadyside, Ohio where he was employed as an electrician at the Burger Plant, a division of Ohio Edison. After a promotion they moved to East Liverpool and he continued working for First Energy in Shippingport and was responsible for writing many operation manuals. He was later advanced to the title of “Trouble shooter” and travelled to many new plants that were being established. Upon retirement he and Alice traveled and when in Europe were blessed to revisit his birth place where they were welcomed with open arms and honored dearly. His grandmother was the mayor of Sighisoara and lived to be 106 years old. He had good genes. He was an avid gardener and loved telling spirited stories of his adventures. He bid adieu to Alice, his wife, as she blazed her way to glory during the blizzard of 2015 on Jan. 26 a few minutes short of her 95th birthday. Alice also had good genes. She was quite the blizzard herself as Michael often called her “Old Stormy”.

He was preceded in death by his wife Alice W. (Billos) Lander; brother Franz Lander; sister Suzanna.

Awaiting the time when our spirits join theirs are his daughters Terry (Ernie) Walker and Susan Copeland; five grandchildren Michelle (Matt), Stacey, Stephanie and the twins Aaron and Aric and several great grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Until we meet again – “Auf Wiedersehen”

A private service was held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements entrusted to the Dawson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be directed to Salem Saxon Club, 1980 New Garden Road, Salem, Ohio 44460 telephone: (330) 222-1770.

View Michael’s memorial webpage and express condolences online at www.dawsonfuneralhome.com.