John E. Lang

1936 - 2025

John Ernest Lang, 88, a longtime attorney in Wamego, passed away on Monday (January 20, 2025) at Valley Vista Good Samaritan Society in Wamego, Kansas.

Born December 27, 1936 in Arkansas City, Kansas, John was the son of Ernest R. and Ruth (Evans) Lang. He married Joleen C. Jilka of Westmoreland, Kansas on November 22, 1959 in Wamego. She survives.

John was a 1954 graduate of Arkansas City High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Kansas and graduated from Washburn University School of Law. He entered private practice in Wamego in September, 1961 and had a distinguished 51 year career, retiring in August, 2012. During his career he served as the Potawatomie County Attorney, Pottawatomie County Counselor and Municipal Judge for the City of Wamego.

John took an active role in his community. He was former president of the Wamego Chamber of Commerce, and former president of the Wamego Lions Club, where he also served as 17AW District Secretary for Lions International. He was a Director at First National Bank, a Trustee for Wamego City Hospital - serving as Chairman in 1988-89, a 20 year member of the Advisory Committee for Valley Vista Good Samaritan Society, a Trustee of the Stormont Foundation in Topeka, a former Chairman for the Governor's Advisory Committee on Institutional Management and Community Mental Health, a member of the Governor's Committee on Criminal Administration, Chairman of the Pottawatomie County American Red Cross, Pottawatomie County Chairman of the Kansas Democratic Party, and President of the Pottawatomie County Bar Association. He was also a member of the Wamego Masonic Lodge No. 75, Scottish Rite Valley of Topeka, Arab Shrine Club in Topeka and the Harold Johnson American Legion Post No. 172. John was a member of the Wamego United Methodist Church.

In his spare time, John enjoyed golfing, stamp collecting, model railroads, and traveling with friends and family.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Joleen; his children, Jill Gobble (Geoff) of Lenexa, KS and Jeff Lang of Olathe, KS; four grandchildren, Jessica Gobble, Jordyn Gobble, Taylor Lang and Paige Lang; and two nephews, Brad Kramer and Scott Kramer, both of Wichita, KS.

John was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary Ann & Bill Kramer.

Visitation will be Monday, January 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. A private family burial will be in Wamego City Cemetery. Pastor Fritz Clark will be officiating.

Memorials are suggested to the Wamego United Methodist Church. Please make checks payable to Wamego UMC and those may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.