Thomas J. Langan

Thomas John “Tom” Langan was born on January 16, 1934 in Quincy, Illinois.  He was the son of Myrtle and Elmer “Bud” Langan and one of five children.  He is preceded in death by his first grandchild, Evan Thomas Neally, brothers, Bob and Jim, parents, Myrtle and Bud, and stepfather, Roy Hussong. He is survived by his two sisters, Maryl and Sweets.  He married his beloved wife, Jeane, on Valentine’s Day in 1954.  She was buried earlier this year on what would have been their 65th wedding anniversary. 

Tom and Jeane had four children -- Peggy Hayner (John Arpan) of Deerfield, Illinois; Dan Langan (Valerie) of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; Suzy Neally (Stan) of Carthage; and Cathy Burling (Ron) of Morris, Illinois; ten grandchildren, Laura and Audrey Hayner; Tommy (Lily) and Claire Langan; Mitchell (Kate), Justin (Mackenzie) and Ethan (fiancé Holland) Neally; Ryan (Stephanie), Kevin (Caitlin) and Emily Burling; two great-grandchildren, Grayson Burling and Baker Thomas Neally.

Tom played baseball and basketball at Quincy High School earning recognition in their athletic Hall of Fame.  He then went to Carthage College where he played basketball, baseball, and football earning multiple varsity letters. Tom was honored years later, when he was inducted into the Carthage College Hall of Fame. Carthage College is also where he met his bride, local girl, Jeane Carl, whom he married a year later.

Upon graduation with a B.S. in Business Administration, Tom was signed to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Browns minor league teams. After his baseball career, he would later join his father-in-law, Forrest Carl, running Carl Motors.  He also had part-time jobs as a pin-setter at the T&C Bowl and refereed basketball games at the grade school and high school level. Upon the death of his father-in-law, he and his brother-in-law, Bob Carl, took over management of the car dealership. Tom and Bob co-owned and managed the dealership for over 50 years, until retirement.

Tom was active in the First Christian Church as an elder, a deacon, and as a member of the Homebuilders Club. Tom and Jeane also volunteered at the Food Pantry and delivered Meals on Wheels. Over the years he participated in golf, league bowling, and bridge clubs. He also coached in the Carthage Little League program for many years.  Tom was a life-long St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and Green Bay Packers football fan.  He enjoyed traveling which included Alaskan and Caribbean cruises, trips to several U.S. National Parks, and the Rose Bowl. One of Tom’s favorite trips was a visit to England and Ireland with his brother Bob and wife, Barb.  He especially enjoyed when his whole family gathered for a beach house vacation on Lake Michigan.

Tom loved his God and his church, his hometown community of Carthage, and above all else, his family.  Tom loved deeply and wore his heart on his sleeve. A grateful man who always knew just how incredibly blessed he was. He will be remembered as the strong pillar of his family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 31, 2019, at the First Christian Church in Carthage with burial to follow in Moss Ridge Cemetery in Carthage.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 -11:00 A.M. prior to services at the church on Saturday.  Memorials may be directed to the First Christian Church (DOC) in Carthage or the Lowcountry Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.

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