Ronald Jackson Lancaster

Ronald Jackson Lancaster, age 75, of Whitehall, Ohio passed away peacefully on February 19, 2015 at the Manor at Whitehall. He was born Jan. 19, 1940 in Confluence, Pennsylvania to the late Harry and Alice (Lininger) Lancaster. As a youth Ron loved photography and music. He played the accordion and attended Scranton Road Baptist Church. He always excelled in school and higher education. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting. His family moved to Cleveland, OH in 1952 for a better life, leaving Rural America behind. Ron was the middle child of three children, older sister Janet Kay, and his younger sister Carole. He attended Lincoln High School in Cleveland and graduated when he was 17… too young to enter the military. He worked odd jobs until he qualified for the Air Force, following in his father's footsteps. He served his country from April 1958 until December 1965, with his final assignment being in Columbus, Ohio. Since he liked it there, he attended and graduated from Franklin University and was an engineer with IBM for 25 years. Ron was an active member of the Whitehall community; he was a member of the Whitehall Lion's Club, a Whitehall police department volunteer; a member of the Whitehall Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association, Rickly Lodge FandAM, Achbar Grotto and Scottish Rite and member of Vineyard Christian Church, formerly East Columbus Christian Church. He had one child, Virginia Lynn, who died in a tragic car accident in 1992. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Janet Kay Spurrier. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Charlotte and step-son Nicholas (Diane) Glaze; sister, Carole (Robert) Knopsnyder, of Somerset, Pennsylvania; nephews, Ronald Patton, of Florida, Robert (Tiffany) Patton of Washington State, Daniel Knopsnyder, Winston Salem, North Carolina and a niece, Leigh Ann Knopsnyder Pritz (Mark) Atlanta, GA. He was loved by his family and will be deeply missed. Although separated by many miles, Ronald kept in touch with family electronically. Family will welcome friends 2-4 and 6-8pm (7:30 Masonic Service) on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 and from 2-3pm Thursday, at Schoedinger East Chapel, 5360 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus, OH 43232 where services will begin at 3pm Thursday; Andrew Hoover, Celebrant. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Ronald J. Lancaster. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories or extend condolences.