
Regina Ann Lancaster, 83, Warsaw, was ushered into the presence of her loving Lord and Savior Jesus at 1:40 a.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2019. She passed away at Grace Village Health Care in Winona Lake.
She was born on Feb. 4, 1936, in Piedmont, West Virginia to Gerald Boynton Derham and Mildred Augustine (DeShong) Derham of Mill Run, near Westernport, Md. On Nov. 29, 1963, she was married to John William Lancaster.
She grew up in Maryland and was a 1954 graduate of Valley High School in Lonaconing, Md. In 1954 she attended Catherman’s Business School in Cumberland, Maryland. She attained a secretarial position in 1955 at Frostburg State Teachers College (now Frostburg State University) in Frostburg, Md.
She worked at the school at different intervals during her career and retired from Frostburg State University on Jan. 1, 2003, as an Executive Administrative Assistant.
She was actively involved in Christian ministry at a very young age. She began playing the piano in church with one hand while taking piano lessons. Since 1970 she had lovingly and faithfully played a vital role serving alongside her husband as a pastor’s wife at the following Grace Brethren Churches: Mill Run, Maryland; Accident, Maryland; Ozark, Michigan; Jenners, Pennsylvania; and Parkersburg, West Virginia.
She served the churches by typing bulletins, playing the piano and organ, organizing vocal and instrumental groups for District Competitions, coaching Quiz Teams, leading various youth groups, and teaching Sunday School. She and her husband moved to Warsaw in 2008 and most recently attended Grace Chapel at Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake. Regina was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She would most want to be remembered for her steadfast faith and love for her Lord, Jesus Christ.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 55 years, John William Lancaster, Warsaw; daughter: Cheryl (Larry) Lawlor, Fishers; and three sons: Kevin (Dena) Lancaster Warsaw; Keith (Amy) Lancaster, Peru; and Jeffrey (Nicole) Lancaster, Warsaw, Indiana). Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Amanda and Lindsay Lawlor; Kendra, Mya, Liam, Dallas, Tommy, and Max Lancaster; two sisters: Faye Long, Wellersburg, Penn.; and Donna (John) Juday, Osceola.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother G. Kenneth Derham, and her sister Retha Duckworth.
Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m., Friday, July 5, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
Regina’s life will be celebrated with a funeral service that will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor David Jodry. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.
Memorial donations may be directed to Riley Hospital for Children at I.U. Health, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 and would be appreciated by the family.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s Web Site at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
