Greg Langan

James Gregory Langan passed away peacefully on May 14 at home in Evanston after a long struggle with dementia. He was born in Dixon on November 9, 1933 to Edward and Frances (Kennedy) Langan and named after his mother’s older brother. The last of their four children, Greg was doted on by his three older sisters, Mary Ellen, Rita, and Barbara, and was known as the “Little King.” Greg attended St. Mary School, Dixon High School, and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northern Illinois University. He also earned his Doctorate in Education from Indiana University. Greg began his career at what was then called the Dixon State School, working as a psychologist and rehabilitation supervisor. There a red-haired young social worker, Mary Ann Bloomfield, caught his eye. They were married for 32 years until her death in 1991. After living in Dixon, Bloomington, IN, and Decatur, Greg and Mary Ann settled in Champaign where they raised their three children: Mike, Ann, and Sue. Greg was a loyal Illini fan and made many wonderful memories with his close friends tailgating, meeting for Saturday morning breakfast, and spending summer weeks at the Monkeyspoon, a magical ocean-side house in Wells Beach, Maine. Professionally, Greg was the Assistant Regional Administrator for what were known as Mental Retardation Programs for the State of Illinois, followed by fifteen years as the Superintendent of Adler Mental Health Center on the campus of the University of Illinois. He then became the Regional Administrator for the 16-county area and Acting Superintendent of the Meyer Mental Health Center in Decatur. The last two years of his career were spent as the Assistant Director for Policy and Programs for Mental Retardation Services in Springfield. During this time he also had academic appointments at the U of I and Illinois State University, traveling to Bloomington-Normal to teach classes on Monday nights. A short marriage to Sharon U. Thompson brought Greg back to Dixon in 1994. He soon became reacquainted with Mary Dixon to whom he was happily married until her death in 2007. Greg also enjoyed spending time with Nancy Morrissey in the years before he moved to Evanston in 2019 to be closer to his family. If you chatted with Greg, you likely noticed his passion for local history. He loved researching topics and interesting people from Dixon’s past and enthusiastically shared his knowledge through the many programs he did for various organizations, the downtown tours he conducted for local school groups, the articles he wrote for the Telegraph, and in conversations with acquaintances and strangers alike. Sharing stories about the lives of those he portrayed as part of the Oakwood Cemetery Walk was an annual highlight. Greg was incredibly honored to have the Langan Award for Excellence in Local History named for him. A long-time member of St. Patrick Church, Greg’s work with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was especially rewarding and important to him. He was also a member of the Diocese Stewardship Commission. Never one to pass up an opportunity to make a list, preferably on a yellow legal pad with a pen from his vast office supply collection, these are other local organizations to which Greg generously gave his time and leadership over the years: the Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society, Dixon Historic Theatre, Reagan Peace Park, Dixon Downtown Historic District, Veterans Memorial Museum, Dixon Elks Lodge, Sauk Valley Kiwanis Club, and Dixon Gyros Club. He also served on the boards of the Lee/Ogle County Regional Office and the Northwest Illinois Area on Aging. Greg was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren and loved his family deeply. He is survived by his son Mike (Pam) of Sheboygan, WI, daughters Ann and Sue, and sister Barbara of Evanston; six grandsons: David (Amanda), Nicholas (Joelle), Jonathan (Mady), Matt, Joe, and Patrick; two great-grandchildren, Jameson and Ava; and many nieces and nephews. Greg’s family would like to thank Yvette, Tanice, and Hopelin for the amazing, loving care they gave him over these past few years. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 5 from 9:00-10:30 at Jones Funeral Home, 204 S. Ottawa Ave., Dixon. There will be an 11:00 funeral mass at St. Patrick Church followed by burial at Oakwood Cemetery. Immediately after, all are invited back for a luncheon and to share memories of Greg at St. Patrick’s Holloway Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Greg’s memory to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, ℅ St. Patrick Church, 612 Highland Ave, Dixon, IL 61021 and the Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society, 113 Hennepin Ave, Dixon, IL 61021. Arrangements by the Jones Funeral Home in Dixon.

Greg Langan

November 9, 1933 - May 14, 2024