Arlene J. Lang

Arlene J. Lang (nee Linck) was born on Easter, April 12, 1925 during a snow storm, at home in Rentchler, IL. She died Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, at home surrounded by loved ones.

On Sept. 4, 1944, Arlene married Wilbert J. Lang, while he was in the U. S. Navy.


She grew up enjoying sports and claimed to be an excellent athlete. She bowled for many years and enjoyed playing cards, especially euchre. She just “loved” music and dancing, but she said her greatest joy was her children, claiming to be “the best thing she ever did”, having kids.

She periodically worked outside the home. During WW II, she worked at the Small Arms Factory, in St. Louis, MO. She later worked at Brown Shoe Factory in Belleville, IL; the Hat Factory in Mascoutah, IL; and the Dry Cleaners at Scott AFB, IL. She babysat and cleaned houses for numerous families.

Arlene had a smile for Everyone! She whistled wherever she went.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Amelia, nee Schaefer, Linck; her husband, Wilbert J. Lang; brothers, Earl (Unetta), Ralph (Lila), Edgar (Carol), Edwin Jr., Elmer (JoAnn), and Robert Linck; a sister, Wilma in infancy; brothers-in-law, Henry Hund, Arthur Hobbs, Raymond Lang, and Delmar Walter; and a sister-in-law, Ann Lang.

She is survived by her children, James (Mary) Lang, Richard (Cathy) Lang, Christy Lang, Jean (Roy) Bergmann, and John (Anita) Lang; grandchildren, Zachary Olack (fiancé Shawnacee Brook), William Bergmann, Sarah Bergmann (fiancé Randall Groom), Jesse Bergmann, Cassandra “Kaci” Lang, Jason Lang, Miranda Lang, and Charlotte Lang; sisters, Violet Hund, Delores Hobbs, and June (Vince) Birkner; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Linck, Otillie Linck, and Mary Ann Walter; a brother-in-law, Joseph Lang; many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the excellent care and support from the staff at Memorial Hospital, and the wonderful caregivers from Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc.

In accordance with her wishes, Arlene’s remains were donated to Washington University School of Medicine.

Memorials may be donated in her name to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 300 E. Main St, Belleville, IL 62220; or donor’s choice, and can be mailed to Moll Funeral Home, 34 W. Main St., Mascoutah, IL 62258.

An open house celebration of her life will be held at the Visitors Center in Mascoutah, IL from 3 to 5 PM on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013.