SOUTH WHITLEY — Larry Rex “Butch” Lancaster, 81, South Whitley, died at 3:18 p.m. Thursday, April 26, 2018, at Parkview Randallia Hospital, Fort Wayne, where he had been a patient the past 2½ weeks.
He was born Jan. 26, 1937, in Whitley County, a son of the late Gerald R. and Jennie M. Williamson Lancaster. He spent his formative years in South Whitley, where he graduated from South Whitley High School in 1955.
He was a member of the U.S. Army reserves from 1955 to 1963.
On May 12, 1984, he was united in marriage to Karen L. Meadows Myers. They made their home in South Whitley. Karen died Sept. 15, 2017.
He had worked for Bechtol Soft Water and Lancaster Plumbing and Heating before joining the utilities department of the town of South Whitley. He worked there for 25 years, becoming the utilities manager. Always a supporter of his community, he served 24 years with the South Whitley, Cleveland Township Fire Department and became their assistant chief for three years and fire chief from 1984 to 1989.
He was a member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church. In his retirement years, he enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife, Karen, and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his two sons, Jarrad R. (Robin) Lancaster, South Whitley, and Justin L. Lancaster, North Manchester; stepchildren: Nathan (Lynn) Myers, South Whitley; Zachary L. (Teresa) Myers, Vancouver, Wash.; Matthew (Laurie) Myers, Churubusco; and Julia J. (Robert Dales) Myers, Fort Wayne; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Randall J. (Deanna) Lancaster, Henderson, Nev.; and a sister, Kay (Larry) Lepley, Tri-Lakes.
He was also preceded in death by six brothers: Merritt, Robert, Richard, Donnel, Jerold and Dale Lancaster; and five sisters, Geneva Myers, Betty Stansberry, Karen Corson, Rosetomasene Lancaster and Nancy Lancaster.
The funeral service is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Smith & Son Miller Chapel, South Whitley. Burial is in South Whitley Cemetery.
Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
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Memorials to Cleveland Township Fire Department or Oak Grove United Methodist Church.
Condolences may be sent at smithandsons funeralhome.com.
