Douglas Vincent Lang, age 68 years of Niles, Michigan, son, brother, uncle, devout Catholic, Knight, and Mr. Fix-it died peacefully at 10:53 a.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness. The family is extremely grateful for the West Woods of Niles team that provided Uncle Doug with care, comfort and kindness during such unprecedented times.
He was born on June 29, 1953 in Columbus, Indiana to Ernest U. and JoAnn (Miller) Lang, and was graduated from Niles High School. He hit the open road for several years driving trucks hauling cars and carpets from the Georgia mills to Chicago. He settled in Nashville, Tennessee where he earned his union card as a plumber, and began a second career. He worked on many projects in and around Nashville, but he was most proud of having worked on the historic Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry. In 2000, he returned to Niles and began his most important career as a caregiver. He cared for several family members, and most unselfishly spent over a decade caring for his beloved mother.
Doug was a member of the Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Niles, and the Father Allouez Council #708 of the Knighs of Columbus. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Niles Aerie #34. He was a fan of everything at the University of Notre Dame, especially football and the Women’s basketball team. He enjoyed watching NASCAR events on television and loved being outdoors for boating and fishing; and was an advocate to save the Pucker Street dam, one of his favorite fishing spots.
In his spare time, he helped friends and neighbors with both home maintenance and repair, and automotive repair. His own house, which he called his “yellow submarine”, featured a hand-made wishing well. He even re-plumbed and programmed his Ford Expedition to run on used cooking oil. He was truly a “Jack of all trades”, some of which he had actually mastered.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest in 2005, JoAnn in 2015; and his brother, Eric Lang in 2001, and sister, Carole Maddox in 2008.
Surviving family includes his brother-in-law, Thomas (& Melody Patterson) Maddox of Three Rivers, Michigan; nieces and nephews, Lynne (& Douglas) Crawford of Angels Camp, California, Jeffrie (& Karyn Kasa) Maddox of Galesburg, Michigan, Arnold Maddox of Portage, Michigan, and Erica (& Anthony Scott Self) Oliver of Springfield, Illinois; and by great-nieces and nephews, Mari, Samuel, Benjamin, Jacob, Gabriel, Kyle and Kayla.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Douglas Lang at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 28, 2022 at Saint Mary Catholic Church, 203 South Lincoln Avenue in Niles by the Rev. Christian Johnston of the parish. Committal Rites will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Doug Lang may be made to the Father Allouez Council #708, Knights of Columbus, 520 Platt Street, Niles, Michigan, 49120. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles. Online condolences may be left at:
www.halbritterwickens.com.
Doug’s life was full of service to others, transporting goods across the country, fixing old plumbing and installing new plumbing, and providing care and comfort for the ill at home. All a testimony to his mission to Love People and Love God.