Celeste Langner, a production manager for Universal Recordings Co. who booked jazz giants such as Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie, died at age 62 on Friday in Highland Park Hospital. Mrs. Langner was born on Chicago’s North Side, graduated from Schurz High School and attended Wright Junior College. In 1960 Universal Recording Co. hired her as a production manager. “She loved jazz and dancing,” said Daniel Langner, her husband. “Once, she called me late and said that Count Basie was in town and that they were going to record that night. We spent all night in the studio; it was incredible.” After spending three years with Universal, she joined the advertising agency of Post, Keys & Gardner as a business manager. “She took care of some big accounts for the company until she had our first child, in 1970,” Daniel Langner said. “After that she became a mom and was involved with everything the kids did.” Mrs. Langner was diagnosed a few years ago with emphysema because of cigarette smoke and received a double lung transplant at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. “The lung transplant was the most amazing gift that can be done,” said Dena Langner, her daughter. “She was a fighter and she was never going to let it stop her.” Other survivors include a daughter, Danielle. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Norbert Catholic Church, 1809 Walters Ave., Northbrook.
