Best Home Furnishings Co-Founder and Chairman Clem Lange Dies at 85

March 10, 2021  by Laurie Northington in Industry, Obituaries   

In 1962, Lange co-founded Best Chairs, Inc., d/b/a Best Home Furnishings. The business grew rapidly, and the company moved to its present location in the Ferdinand Industrial Complex in 1972. In 1985, the company became the number one manufacturer of swivel rockers in the world. Lange continued to expand business operations, and he bought out his business partner in 1988. Over the years, he transferred operational responsibility and majority ownership of the company to his four children. The Lange family businesses now employ nearly 1,000 people in five locations, and Best Home Furnishings ranks among the nation’s top 15 furniture manufacturers.

Lange was born in St. Henry, Indiana on August 22, 1935, at the home of his parents, Clement F. and Clara (Brinkman) Lange. He was raised on the family farm and graduated in 1954 from Holland High School. Lange served in the U.S Army from 1958 to 1960, during which time he was stationed in Germany and worked as a mechanic in a motor pool. He graduated from the U.S. Army Ordinance School - Europe in Murnau, Germany. He completed the Organizational Maintenance Wheel and Track Vehicles Course, May 15, 1959, receiving Congratulation letters from several officers for outstanding achievement. His mechanical abilities so impressed his commanding officer that Lange was offered a promotion to Master Sergeant of the motor pool if he would agree to re-enlist.

Lange quickly rejected that offer so he could return home to his sweetheart, Mary Catherine Fuhs. On October 6, 1960, Clem and Mary C. were married in Precious Blood Church in Jasper. Lange worked as an upholsterer for the Kuper Corporation in Jasper, and Mary C. worked at JOFCO until the birth of their first child in July, 1961.

In addition to his leadership roles with Best Chairs, Inc., Lange served on the Board of Directors for Dubois County Bank/Old National Bank from 1999 to 2005. He was a member of the Vintage Car Rally Association, Hudson Club, Ferdinand American Legion, and St. Henry Catholic Church.

Lange’s most distinguished professional honor came in 2019 when he was inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame which recognizes individuals who exemplify enduring excellence, superior accomplishments, innovation and creativity, and philanthropic generosity of their time, talents and resources.

Lange and his wife Mary believed strongly in giving back to the community where they lived, worked and raised their family. Examples of their charitable endeavors include the lead donation for Memorial Hospital’s Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center, as well as donations for the Tri-County YMCA, and the Ferdinand Community Center. The Lange family continues to support various municipalities, groups and organizations behind the scenes, and they have contributed in many ways to schools and other local foundations.

Lange is survived by his wife, Mary C. Lange; four children, Glenn Lange (Sue), Sheila Wendholt (Paul), Joey Lange (Lynn) and Brian Lange (Shelly); nine grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; three sisters, Virginia Johannemann (Albert), Mary Ann Treat (Jim), and Fran Jerger (Ron). He was preceded in death by two sisters, Irene Lange (in infancy) and Edna Temple (Leander); and two brothers Arnold Lange (Martha), and Ray Lange (Dorothy).

Friends may visit from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Friday, March 12, 2021, at the Huntingburg Event Center, 110 East 14th Street, Huntingburg, Indiana, 47542. Visitation at the St. Henry Church will begin at 8:30 am on Saturday, March 13, 2021, with a Rosary to be said at 9:00 am, and a Funeral Mass at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at the St. Henry Cemetery. Seating in the St. Henry Church will be limited. Masks will be required for all events.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial gifts or contributions be sent to the Memorial Hospital Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center in Jasper, Indiana, or the Dubois County Community Foundation designated for the Clem and Mary Lange, Best Chairs Endowment for the benefit of the towns of Ferdinand, Holland and St. Henry, Indiana.