James C. “Jay” Lancaster, 79, Syracuse, passed away at 4:18 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. He was born on May 23, 1939 in Lynnville, Tenn. to Murray and Charlotte “Lotty” (Thurman) Lancaster.

He graduated in 1960 from Central High School in Columbia, Tenn., attended Southern Institute of Electronics in Atlanta, Ga., and served in the United States Army. He was married on Jan. 6, 1963, in Florence, Ala. to Shirley G. “Gale” Vandygriff who survives. He retired in 2001 from Norfolk Southern Railroad after 30 years and formerly worked at Continental Can Company in Elkhart for seven years. He lived in Elkhart for 50 years before moving to Syracuse in 2015.

He was a member of the Church of God in Syracuse and Disabled American Veterans in Elkhart. He formerly attended the Baptist Church in Osceola and was a former member of the American Legion in Elkhart.

He is survived by his wife, Gale Lancaster, Syracuse; daughter, Penny Lancaster, Marietta, Ga.; three sons: Scott (Lori) Lancaster, Syracuse; Rich Lancaster, South Bend; James R. Lancaster, Michigan City; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren; brother, Harold ‘Buddy’ (Sarah) Lancaster, Shreveport, La.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Jewell Breeden, and three brothers, Grady, Elwood, and Bill Lancaster.

Cremation will take place at Cremation Services of Kosciusko County, 4356 N SR 15 Warsaw. A Celebration of Life service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, with Pastor Stan Owen officiating. Burial will take place at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Spencer Hill, Tenn. at a later date.

Preferred memorials may be given to the Church of God, 104 E Washington St, Syracuse, IN 46567. To send a condolence to the family in memory of Mr. Lancaster, please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com