Mr. John Henry Lancaster, Sr.,  73, of Elkhart, passed away comfortably and peacefully within the familiar confines of his own home on Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 10:15 am. He was born in Laporte, Indiana to the late James D. and Nell B. (Brown) Lancaster, who precede John in death along with his stepmother, Goldie Sue (Lemon) Lancaster, his brother Jerry Lancaster and his lovely wife Peggy L. Lancaster, who passed away in March 2021.

Surviving John are his sons Larry R. Shaffer, James L. (Brittany Hayward) Lancaster, Edward S. Lancaster and Michael D. Randall, all of Elkhart, John H. (Traci) Lancaster Jr. of Middlebury and Thomas C. Shaffer of Wisconsin; his daughter Jackie M. (Tony Linn) Shaffer of Elkhart; his brother James E. (Phyllis) Lancaster of Osceola, 13 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and a loving host of extended family, good friends and old bowling league pals.

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart are pleased to be hosting John's homegoing celebrations, beginning with a visitation there on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 10 am until 12:00 noon, and then followed by the Funeral Service starting at noon, with military honors being provided by the Elkhart Veterans Honor Guard and the US Army Funeral Honor Guard. Services will conclude with burial at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola.

John worked nearly his entire life in management in the local RV industry. He was an avid bowler and was always on a team and affiliated with a league. It was not uncommon to see his smiling face down at Oakland Lanes or at the old Astrobowl. He was also a champion when it came to giving folks a hard time (in jest only) and absolutely loved to give everyone personal (to him) nicknames, usually something funny.  His warped sense of humor and occasional pranks always kept everyone laughing and endeared him to many.

He loved his family very much and was a great "paw-paw", oftentimes getting down and wrestling with the kids or taking everyone on a lunchtime cook-out at the park at the Potawatomie Zoo in South Bend. John always seemed happiest when he had his family around him. He was also a bonafide car "nut" and loved going to car shows and swap meets. He could peruse throughout the cars all day if they'd let him, since that would be considered one of his "happy places".

Finally, it should be mentioned that John served honorably during Vietnam with the Army's 101st Airborne Division.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Friends and family may leave memories, condolences and pictures on John's obit page on the Billings Funeral Home website. Thank you for your interest in John's life story!

To the Family