Nick, to all his Illinois friends and family, was retired from the Air Force on Sept. 1, 1974, after 22 years of service to our nation in many units around the globe. His 22 years included four years, from 1952 to 1956, in the U.S. Navy aboard a World War II destroyer, the U.S.S. Harold J. Ellison. Nick entered the military before completing high school but took full advantage of the military’s educational opportunities, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree. After military retirement, Nick worked for the Electronic and Space Division of Emerson Electric Co. He was very successful in his career at Emerson, rising rapidly through the ranks from Technical Instructor to Integrated Logistics Support Manager. He retired from Emerson on Sept. 1, 1997.
Nick was an elder member of St. Peter’s Cathedral, where he served in many different ministries under numerous rectors of the Cathedral. He was twice the Lay Director of Cursillo in Christianity for the Diocese of Belleville. He served in many other positions within the Cursillo renewal movement. He was also instrumental in conducting the Catholics Come Home programs, the Sacred Heart Prayer Chain and Rosary Leaders at the Cathedral.
Nick thrived on helping and serving others. He was always available to assist with errands, projects or provide a delicious home-cooked meal for family, friends and neighbors. He regularly volunteered at Cathedral’s Food Pantry and served as President of the Prairie Village Homeowners Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie P. and Ethel L. (Coleman) Lang; a sister, Linda Wiggins; brother, Gary; brothers-in-law, Donald Guardino, Edward Hoak, Guy Givan, John Schmidt, Richard Hall, Charles Prindable and James Prindable; and sister-in-law, Rose (Prindable) Hall.
Nick was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother to his surviving family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Phyllis A. (Prindable) Lang, whom he married at the Cathedral on Dec. 26, 1960;
five children, Dr. Margaret M. (Steve) Lang-Railsback of Arcata, CA, Kathryn L. (Brad) Weisenstein of Belleville, Dr. Timothy G. Lang of Chesterfield, MO, Karen M. (Douglas) Demro of New Lenox, IL, and Dr. Nicholas J. Lang of Chicago, IL;
seven grandchildren, Kara and Rose Weisenstein, Kyle and Derek Lang, and Dayna, Delaney and Dylan Demro;
two sisters, Georgina Leslie Guardino and Ruth Ann Hoak, and one brother, David P. (Gwen) Lang, all of Pittsburgh, PA;
brothers-in-law, Thomas K. (Judy) Prindable of Chicago, Patrick J. (Mary Pat) Prindable of O’Fallon and John D. (Louise) Prindable of St. Louis;
and sisters-in-law, Mary Schmidt of Waterloo, Kathleen Lange of Chicago, Doris Givan of Wheelersburg, OH, Claire Prindable of Belleville, and Dorothy Prindable of Belleville. He is also survived by cousins Henry and Donna Siekmann, numerous nieces and nephews, and many valued friends.
Our family also extends a special “thank you” to the staff of Memorial Hospital Belleville, especially everyone in the Telemetry and ICU units, for their kindness, compassion and excellent care.
Memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Cathedral, Catholic Relief Services or the Belleville Diocesan Cursillo. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2018, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A funeral procession will leave at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, January 13, 2018, for a 12 noon Mass of Christian Burial will be held, at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. John Myler officiating.
Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.