NILES, Mich. – Marie J. Lancaster, 87, Niles, passed away peacefully April 19, 2015, in Warsaw. She was born Nov. 3, 1927, in South Bend, to Donald F. and Esther Prcyblski Cronkhite. On June 26, 1948, at a ceremony in South Bend, she married Frank R. “Zut” Lancaster, who preceded her in death. She graduated from Greene Township High School with the Class of 1946. She worked for many years as a medical transcriptionist at the former Pawating Hospital, Niles, and then in the cardiology department of Memorial Hospital, South Bend. She was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church, Niles, and was a volunteer for many years at Lakeland Community Hospital. She enjoyed square dancing in her younger years, crafting and mostly spending time with family. She is survived by four sons: Michael Lancaster, South Bend; Patrick (and spouse Brenda) Lancaster, Klamath Falls, Ore.; Mark (and spouse Sandi) Lancaster, Warsaw; and John (and Julie) Lancaster, Niles; 11 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves to remember her a brother, Ronald (and spouse Jenny) Cronkhite, Arizona; two sisters Bonnie (and spouse Pete) Pica and Ruth (and spouse Vernon) Miller, both of South Bend. Also preceding her in death were her parents; her brother, Donald Cronkhite; and a sister, Dolores Miller. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Brown Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Thomas King, CSC, officiating. Committal rights will be at Calvary Cemetery, Niles. Calling is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with a rosary service at 7:30 p.m. ***** Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be sent via www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com
