Robert "Bob" Lancaster

November 23, 1955 - December 28, 2009

Robert “Bob” Lancaster, 54, of Pana, died Monday, December 28, 2009 in his residence. He was born November 23, 1955 in Taylorville, the son of Riley & Martha Cushing Lancaster. Bob was a graduate of Assumption High School. He then graduated from Valdosta State College in Valdosta, GA with a degree in teaching. After college he joined the U.S. Marines, where he was in the drum & bugle core. Bob then taught in Georgia, later coming to Pana and teaching at Kemmerer Village. He then worked for the Department of Human Services, teaching at Shapiro until his retirement in 2002. Bob enjoyed bowling and was an excellent ceramic painter. He was also a member of the Pana American Legion; Pana VFW Post #4431; & Central Illinois Gourd Society. Bob married Carolyn McDowell, and they were later divorced. He then married Roberta M. “Bobbi” Landry on January 6, 1989 in Kankakee, IL.
He is survived by his wife: Roberta M. “Bobbi” Lancaster, Pana, IL; children: Kimberly Harenski, Marion, IL; Derek Billadeau & wife Rebecca, Bradley, IL; Martha Lancaster, Pana, IL; & Georgia “Leanne” Laird & husband Bryan, Kankakee, IL; mother: Martha Shanks, Pana, IL; uncle: Clarence Cushing, Jr. & wife Brenda, Assumption, IL, whom he relied on and gave credit for many things that he learned throughout his life. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Nicole Billadeau, Tiffany Harenski, Kaitlyn Harenski, Jeffery Harenski, Ryan Harenski, James Harenski, Madison Billadeau, Hannah & Haley Billadeau, and Dylan Laird; 1 great granddaughter: Nia Billadeau; and brothers & sisters: Tina Lancaster & husband James, Taylorville, IL; Mark Lancaster & wife Kim, Decatur, IL; Diane Hocq & husband Dustin, Pana, IL; Penny Hardy & husband Luke, Tower Hill, IL; Cheryl Moreland, Conway, SC; Bradley Lancaster, Hanover, PA; & Kevin Lancaster, Lucas Air Force Base, AZ. He was preceded in death by his father; sister, Pam Shanks; & grandparents: Clarence & Velma Cushing.

Funeral Information

Funeral services will be Saturday, January 2, 2010 in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. followed by military rites by American Legion/AmVets/VFW Honor Guard, Pana. Friends may call on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time in the funeral home.
Cremation rights will be accorded.

Donations Information

Memorials may be made to the Ryan Harenski Educational Fund, c/o Roberta Lancaster.