Barbara S. “Susie” (Endres) Lang, 75, of New Philadelphia, OH, passed away in her sleep at Park Village Southside on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
Born March 18, 1949, Susie was the daughter of the late Eugene V. and Jane L. (Slasor) Endres. A 1967 graduate of New Philadelphia High School, Susie worked at the family business, Endres Floral Company, for more than 30 years before joining Dr. Raymond Giles as a receptionist. But she loved the floral business and soon joined her brother, Richard Endres, at his business, Floral Packaging, where the two of them continued the Endres tradition of delivering joy – and perfection – through beautiful floral arrangements. After retiring from Floral Packaging, she filled her time as a crossing guard for Dover Schools – she loved seeing the kids each morning and afternoon on their way to and from school.
Following graduation from high school, she met her future husband, Robert L. “Bob” Lang Jr. at The Mustang in Dover, and they were married at Sacred Heart Church on April 10, 1970. The two were complete opposites – Susie liked it cold, Bob froze in their house every day, Susie grew up “in town” and looked forward to moving into a house with neighbors, and Bob grew up in the country unsure having people “right next door” was a good idea. Despite their differences, they loved each other tremendously, and remained married for almost 41 years when Bob passed away in early 2011. And, though many would not have known it because Susie was an expert at hiding her emotions, she missed Bob – and so many others who preceded her in death – every day.
Susie was an incredibly loving mother and grandmother. When Bob was nervous about their only daughter setting off on new adventures, Susie was the one to remind him that she needed to do these things and see the world in order to learn. And, although she was very protective of her two granddaughters, McKenna and Charley, she knew they needed the same types of experiences. Despite living hours away, Susie would FaceTime with her granddaughters regularly, excited to hear McKenna tell her about her latest swim meet or Charley to talk about the little boy in her class or share a new joke. Her greatest joy came from hearing their voices and seeing their smiling faces.
“Susie Q” (as her son-in-law called her) was someone who was full of sarcasm and possessed a quick, dry wit. After 40+ years in the floral business, she would say that she didn’t like people, but that was all just a ruse. Afterall, you don’t spend that many years focused on putting smiles on others’ faces if you don’t actually like people. She spent her life trying to be strong for those around her – a tough exterior – but inside, she cared so deeply about others, especially her family.
Susie is survived by her daughter, Melissa (Sean) and granddaughters, McKenna Jane and Charlotte “Charley” Rose Felton, of Elgin, IL; brothers, Tom Endres of Port St. Lucie, FL and Ted Endres of New Philadelphia; sisters-in-law Chris (Don) Levy of Louisville, OH and Linda (Joe) Semon of Dover, OH; nieces, Amanda Endres of Daytona, FL, Elizabeth (Cameron) Krahel and Erin Endres of New Philadelphia, Kimberly (Travis) Herron and Tiffany (Alex) Sica of Dover; nephews, Tom (Caroline) Endres of New Philadelphia, Jason (Marcelle) Endres of Port Saint Lucie, FL, Seth Endres of New Philadelphia, and Terry Lang of Strasburg; and numerous great nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Carole J. Cenci; brothers, Fred and Richard Endres; sister-in-law, Sherri Lang; and brother-in-law, Anthony “Tony” Cenci.
Friends may call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover, on Monday, July 22, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., in the funeral home; Fr. William L. Arnold will officiate. All are invited to join the family for a luncheon directly after the service in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center, 831 Boulevard St., Dover. Those wishing to sign an online guestbook and share their fondest memories of Susie may do so by visiting the Obituaries link on the funeral home’s website.
Contributions in Susie’s memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Toland-Herzig Funeral Homes & Crematory
803 North Wooster Avenue
Dover, Ohio 44622
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com
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