Lavern I. Sontag, 74, of Canadian Lakes, formerly of Monroe, died Friday at his home. He had been battling cancer since March. Born June 3, 1935 in Monroe, Lavern was the son of Gertrude Sontag and the late Merland Sontag. He married Barbara Conn April 23, 1955 at Zion Lutheran Church in Monroe. After graduating from Monroe High School in 1953, Lavern worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company and then became a salesman for Monroe Auto Equipment Company. From 1978 until retiring in 2002, he owned auto parts businesses in Livonia and in Southfield. Lavern also was an assistant baseball coach at Jefferson High School from 1999 until 2004.Lavern was an active outdoorsman, spending much of the fall season at the family hunting camp in Sidnaw, Michigan. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in their athletic activities, often times traveling to Arizona and to Florida to watch collegiate contests. At his home in Canadian Lakes, Lavern also served as the president of the St. Paul Lutheran Church council in Remus. He was an extremely active member in the church, serving as an usher and organizing maintenance efforts. Surviving are Lavern's wife, Barbara, his mother, Gertrude of Monroe, his sister JoAnn (Al) Mieden of Carleton, along with three sons, Gary of Redford, Dave (Michelle) of Newport and Steve of Munising. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Lavern was preceded in death by his father, Merland, his sister, Barbara Eshenroder and his son, Paul. Visitation will take place at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Remus from 2-6 p.m. Sunday. Also, visitation will be held at Bacarella Funeral Home in Monroe Monday from 3-8 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Tuesday. The funeral will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Bacarella Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Remus, Michigan.