Michael Lanta Obituary Burlington CA, HCDSB Eleventh Grade student has died

Michael Lanta Obituary, Death – Michael Lanta, HCDSB Eleventh Grade student sadly passed away. In addition to his brothers Harry Jr., Daytona Beach, FL, and Theodore (Lynn), Orefield, he is survived by his cherished sisters Jean Hagendorf, Yvonne Fischer, Gloria (David) Mann, Allentown, and Kathleen. There are still 18 nieces and nephews and a sizable extended family.

In Florida’s Winter Garden, Mike’s brother Ronald passed away. He attended Dieruff High School in Allentown’s 6th Ward and the Virginia-based Fork Union Military Academy before graduating. A veteran of the Army with the titles of Expert Marksman (M-14) and Sharpshooter, he served in the US, Germany, and Vietnam (M-16). Mike graduated from Penn State with a B.S. in business administration (Dean’s List) and afterward started working for the city of Allentown as a planner and management analyst.

Later, he joined LANTA, where he served as director of materials and maintenance for 35 years before retiring in March 2014. In 2004, Mike received a PA Public Transportation Assoc. Superstar Award. Mike “Lopo” enjoyed athletics and played in football, basketball, and baseball games at Dieruff High School, Harrison-Morton, and the Downtown Youth Center during his whole life.

He played quarterback for the Dieruff and Fork Union football team and was a starter on the basketball team that won the 1966 District XI Championship. He played in local and cult leagues as an adult while coaching his children. Mike’s 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air routinely won first place after being fixed at regional and national auto events.

He had worked as a Steward at St. John’s E.C. Church in Allentown and had been honored as “Father of the Year” in 1987. He had been a committed member of the Orefield Heritage Baptist Church at the time. We will always cherish our memories of Mike’s wonderful warmth, sense of humor, and modest demeanor.

Because he wanted everyone to feel the same confidence he did regarding the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in John 3:16, he lived out and proclaimed his Christian faith. In 2004, Mike bravely battled cancer and won the battle until a new, rare tumor was discovered in his final three and a half months of life. He never let go of his positive outlook on life.