Charles “Chuck” Ray Lang Sr.

GARDINER – Charles “Chuck” Ray Lang Sr. passed away suddenly, with his family by his side, at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta, on Feb. 14, 2025.

Chuck was born on June 1, 1935, in Christopher Ill., son of Patty E. and Alta M. (Reynolds) Lang. He grew up in Christopher until duty called in the spring of 1950. Always a patriot, Chuck knew how to pull a few strings and enlisted in the US Army at the early age of 14. He served in the Army until he was Honorably Discharged in 1952. Chuck returned from service to DuQuoin, Ill., where he worked for a few months before duty called again. With the war in Korea ongoing, Chuck enlisted in his beloved United States Marine Corps, where he served honorably, earning the National Defense Medal, The Korean Service Medal, and The United Nations Service Medal, until his discharge in 1955.

During the summer of 1959, Charles met the woman that would become the love of his life. He married Ann M. (Couverette) Lang on Nov. 12, 1960, and enjoyed a lifetime of 65 years, raising his family of four children. Chuck continued his service as a life member of The American Legion,

VFW, DAV, and The Marine Corps League, Detachment 509. Charles held many local and state officer’s positions and was especially moved to provide Honor Guard services to his fellow fallen Marines. In 2017, Chuck was awarded Marine of the Year, an honor that remains a high point in his life of service.

Chuck was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Elone (Buddy) Lang, and his first grandchild, Sandra Smith Tracy.

Survived by and lovingly remembered, Charles leaves his wife, Ann; daughter Catherine Lang and her partner Peter Knight, daughter Carla and her husband Shawn Pelletier, son Charles Lang Jr and his partner Richelle Abbott, and daughter Jennifer Lang. Also surviving are his grandchildren Ken Hallowell, Joy and Matt Giffen, Courtney and Nicholas Bouchard, Louis and Kate Bengtson, Aaron and Kimberly Bengtson, Julianna Pelletier, Jacob Pelletier, Tyler and Chloe Hanson, Mariah Lang, Charles Lang III, Zachary Cross, and Nicholas Cross; great grandchildren Gavin Tracy, Catherine Tracy, Hazel Bouchard, Erik Bengtson, Lily Bengtson, Owen Bengtson, Adam Bengtson, and Ronan Bengtson; great-great grandson Mitchell Garber; along with many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Charles was a beacon of love and light who will be greatly missed by his family.

A military funeral service at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery – Chapel, located at 163 Mount Vernon Road, Augusta, Maine, will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at 1 p.m.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.