Racine – Rev. Milan J. Babel, age 82, was born into eternal life on Wednesday morning, September 13, 2017.

Pastor was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 26, 1934 to the late Joseph and Mary (nee: Repak) Babel. He was a graduate of Concordia High School and College in Fort Wayne, Indiana (1948-54) and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri (1954-59). He was ordained on June 21, 1959 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

On June 6, 1959 in Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Collinsville, Illinois, he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Elaine M. (nee: Fedder). Shortly after, Pastor and Elaine accepted a calling to The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Ontario, Canada. They eventually moved on to serve congregations in Central City, PA and Steubenville, OH. In 1970, they moved to Racine to serve and become members of Pentecost Lutheran Church.

He always lived a life of JOY – JESUS: doing all things to serve his Lord; OTHERS: always putting others needs before YOURSELF. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandpa (Papa) who rarely missed any of his children or grandchildren's activities. His world truly revolved around his family and his love for sports. An avid sports fan, Pastor loved his Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cleveland Browns (until they moved out of Cleveland), the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers. His love of basketball gave him the opportunity to play against the Harlem Globetrotters while serving his vicarage in Ontario, Canada….a memory he was more than willing to share with anyone willing to listen. His other hobbies included reading and poetry.

Surviving are his dear children, David Babel and Cheryl Lynn (Michael) Wilkinson; cherished grandchildren, Mark & Matthew Babel and Andrea & Alyssa Wilkinson; his beloved Pentecost family, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Pastor was preceded in death by his beloved wife Elaine; his sister, Mildred (Steve) Vandrak; and by Elaine's parents, Herman and Elfrieda (nee: Flath) Fedder.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 10:00 am at Pentecost Lutheran Church, 2213 Coolidge Avenue, with Rev. Luke Jacob officiating. Interment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday from 5:00 – 8:00 pm and in the church on Saturday from 9:00 – 10:00 am. Memorials to Pentecost Lutheran Church, Concordia Lutheran School (Sturtevant) or to Racine Lutheran High School have been suggested.

A special note of thanks to Dr. David Zablotney, Dr. Howard Short, Karen Murillo NP, and the staff at the Heart Failure Clinic and Racine Commons Assisted Living for the compassionate care and support given in Pastor's time of need. May God bless all of you!

Service Details

Funeral Services: Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 10:00 am in Pentecost Ev. Lutheran Church, 2213 Coolidge Avenue

Visitation: in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday from 5:00 – 8:00 pm and in the church on Saturday from 9:00 – 10:00 am

Memorial Suggestions

Memorials to Pentecost Lutheran Church, Concordia Lutheran School or Racine Lutheran High School have been suggested.