Oliver Lang

Not one to talk very much, Ollie’s actions of love, support and commitment that he showed to his family every day left an impression on them greater than any spoken word. Ollie Lang died at his new home in Vicksburg Monday March 17, 2003. He was born at home on January 4, 1945 in Lawrence County, AL the son of Elmer and Ola (Mitchell) Lang. When Ollie was 19 years old he came to the Kalamazoo area with his family. Although his parents didn’t stay in the area very long, Ollie decided differently. A young lady named Jan Mennes had caught his attention. Jan’s immediate mutual attraction to this handsome gentleman with the red convertible on January 1, of 1965 was love at first sight. The fastest courtship you could imagine led to marriage seven weeks later on February 18, 1965.

After the first year of marriage, the young couple welcomed the birth of their oldest son Dan followed by another son Ken two years later and they finally decided their family was just the right size when they welcomed the birth of their daughter Melissa two years after Ken.

Ollie worked very hard all of his life to provide for his family. He first started working at Vermuelen’s Furniture and then later took a job at Claridge Fan Co for a few months. Eventually, Ollie was hired in at General Motors where he was a forklift operator. He did this for three years before becoming a welder for the next 27 years. Finally, in 1996, Ollie realized one of the greatest days of his life, the day he retired from GM after 30 years of dedicated service. This newfound free time Ollie and Jan now had together let Ollie spend time fishing and also pursuing his greatest passion, riding his Honda Goldwing motorcycle. Ollie had owned many motorcycles over the years and love taking short sightseeing trips around the area or venturing as far away as Alabama to visit his relatives. Ollie also was known to trek up to the Mackinaw area to take in the beauty that is only found in Northern Michigan. On one occasion, Ollie and Jan headed north for the annual Blessing of the Bikes.

Although Ollie thoroughly enjoyed being retired and the free time that he had, he always made sure to allow time to be there for his children. Whether it was lending a helping hand with some project around their home or offering financial assistance, Ollie and Jan both were committed to helping their family realize even in some small way a better life than they had starting out. This same love and care extended to all of his grandchildren as well and not to mention his mother whom he spoke to on the phone almost daily. It truly can be said that Ollie’s actions spoke louder than his words.

In addition to his wife Jan, members of his family include his mother Ola Lang of Stevenson, AL, his children Dan and Lori Lang of Jacksonville, NC, Ken and Stephanie Lang of Three Rivers, Melissa Masse of Vicksburg, eight grandchildren, brothers, Ellis of Stevenson, AL, Elmer Jr. and Virginia Lang of Portage, Travis and Flossie Lang of Three Rivers, sisters Brenda Hovater of Stevenson, AL and Joann Ratcliff of Birmingham, AL, Marie and Bob Meyers and Fran and Carl Gren of Plainwell. Friends may spend time with Ollie’s family Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren Funeral Home Portage Chapel where a Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. Ollie will entombed in the mausoleum at Mt. Ever-rest Cemetery.

Please share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial donation to Hospice of Southwest Michigan.