PERRY — A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Monday, May 17, 2021 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Perry, for Melvin Joseph “Mel” Lang. Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, May 16, at St. Theresa Parish Hall in Perry with Rosary Recitation at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Perry. Memorials suggested to Jefferson County Friends of Hospice or to St. Theresa Catholic Church in care Barnett Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 602, Oskaloosa, KS, 66066
Melvin Joseph “Mel” Lang, 86, of Perry, Kan., died Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at Pioneer Ridge Nursing Home in Lawrence. Melvin was born Jan. 20, 1935 at Great Bend, the son of Frank E. And Gertrude (Eckart) Lang. He grew up on a farm in southern Russell County, Kan., until seventh grade, when the family moved to a farm northeast of Hoisington, Kan. He completed grade school at St. Joseph Catholic School in Beaver, Kan., and was a 1952 graduate of Hoisngton High School. He served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves from May 18, 1957 to May 31, 1963. He was employed at Prosser Produce in Hoisington until entering the Army. After his military service, he was employed as an Assistant Manager at Beaver Grain Corporation from 1959 to 1963. He then served as Manager of Farmer’s Co-Op Elevator in Hedville, Kan. from 1963 to 1967 and then as Manager of Kaw Valley Grain Elevator in Perry, Kan. from 1967 to 1987. He retired as Manager of the North Lawrence Farmer’s Co-Op Elevator in 1997. After retirement, Mel worked part time for Jefferson County Water District #2.
He was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Perry, where he served on the Parish Council and mowed the church grounds for several years. He served on the Perry City Council and was a member of Perry American Legion Post #142. He was a past member and officer of Kansas Feed and Grain Dealers Association. Mel enjoyed watching sporting events and was active in the Perry Ball Association and Perry- Lecompton High School Booster Club while raising his four sons. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and antiques. He was especially devoted to his family and was always willing to lend a helping hand to neighbors and friends.
He married Yvonne Reif on Nov. 7, 1955 at Beaver, KS, she survives at the home in Perry. He is also survived by four sons, Randy (Sheryl) Lang, Perry, David (Brenda) Lang and step-granddaughter, Audiey McTaggart, Lawrence, Michael (Carolyn) Lang, Perry, Brian (Donna) Lang and grandson, Andrew Lang, Lawrence, three step-great-grandchildren; five nephews and two nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Kenneth Lang, Francis J. Lang, Lyle Lang; a sister, Lorene Reif and two step-grandsons. www.barnettfamilyfh.com
Funeral arrangements provided by
Barnett Family Funeral Home
P.O. Box 602
Oskaloosa, KS, 66066
