Carmen C Lange

Carmen Cevilla Lange, 91, shuffled off this mortal coil on Monday August 17, 2026, with her family by her side at the Brighton Gardens Assisted Living in Durham, North Carolina.

Carmen was born on August 14, 1935 in a log cabin on the outskirts of Cowen, West Virginia to Eythel and James Clevenger. While it was a humble upbringing, Carmen never let those lean times prevent her from excelling in academics. She graduated from Cowen High School where she was the valedictorian. She moved with her sister to Dayton, Ohio where she met her future husband, Dennis P. Lange, of St. Henry. They married in 1957 and settled in St. Marys, Ohio where the family expanded with the births of their six children. After Dennis’s untimely death in 1974, Carmen shouldered the responsibility of raising those children with strength, dignity and tenacity which allowed those children to flourish. Her love and open acceptance were felt by all members the family, no matter how they came to be part of the clan.

Carmen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dennis, her brother, James Clevenger, her sister, Jane Phillips, her half-brother, Roy Gray and half-sister Esther Coleman.

Carmen is survived by her children, Catherine (Thomas) Smith, Jeffery (Shelia Reagan) Lange, Rebecca (Daniel) Hopper, Steven (Alice Godsey) Lange, Douglas (Nikki) Lange, and Michael (Alyona) Lange; by her grandchildren, Ryan Smith, Gareth (Erica Hart) Lange, Kaleigh (Mack) Kernus, Emily Hopper, Olivia Hopper, Andrew Hopper, Matthew (Taylor) Lange, Rebecca (Jeff) Pitts, Melanie Hux, Jacqueline Godsey, Jaymon Lange, Corina Lange, Sam Foster, And Kira Lange; and by her great grandchildren, Gavin Dryden, Adrian Pitts, And Grant Pitts.

Carmen will be remembered as a staunch advocate of education. Her proudest accomplishment was making sure her children understood the value of furthering their education and insisting on them following through. She set the example by continuing her college studies by attending classes at the local branch of Wright State University well into her seventh decade of life. She was also very proud of her 97 percent rate on the daily Wordle, her support of the Auglaize County Arts Council, and her homemade popsicles that were enjoyed by all on Motz street.

Carmen’s family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care she received by the staff of Brighton Gardens and the wonderful team at Transitions Hospice Care.

Carmen was interred in a green burial on August 20, 2026 at Bluestem Conservation Cemetery in Cedar Grove, North Carolina in a field of wild flowers. The arrangements were handled by Endswell Funeral Home, Hillsborough, North Carolina. An intimate celebration of her life was held by her family in accordance with her wishes.

Memorial contributions can be made out to the St. Marys Community Library at https://smcpl.org or a scholarship program of your choice.