LILY ANNE SHIRLEY LANCASTER

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LILY ANNE SHIRLEY LANCASTER Lily Anne Shirley Lancaster of Fennville, Michigan died on February 20, 2009 from complications related to leukemia. Lily is survived by her husband John; her sons Jason, Matthew and David; daughters-in-law Amanda (Paley) and Brooke (Pillifant); grandsons Magnus and Leif; brother Gerald Steinke of Otsego, Michigan; sister-in-law Mary Ethel (Wasz); brother-in-law Bruce and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her parents Herman and Alvina Steinke and sister-in-law Joyce Steinke. She was born Lily Steinke in Winnipeg, Canada on November 27, 1943 to Herman and Alvina Steinke. Lily graduated from Portage Central High School in 1961 and Western Michigan University in 1965 and was married on October 2, 1970. Lily taught at Fennville Public Schools for more than 15 years, most spent as a second grade teacher at Anna Michen Elementary. Her former students were always called her kids . She was also a dedicated member of the United Methodist Churches of Fennville and Pearl. Second only to her love for her family was her love for her community. Whether singing with the church choir, selling hot dogs at Rocket Football games, taking a morning walk with her bulldogs, serving as an EMT for the Fennville Ambulance Service, or sponsoring Fennville Odyssey of the Mind teams, Lily absorbed, cherished and reflected each moment. She gave all of her heart to her community, and she knew that the community had responded in kind - giving of its heart to her. We will miss her. The family extends a special thank you to the doctors and staff at the University of Michigan and to Uncle Jerry for giving us more than three additional years with my wife, our mother, our oma. The visitation will be held Tuesday, February 24 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Chappell Funeral Home in Fennville. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 25 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Gary Peterson at Fennville United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Fennville Public Schools Educational Foundation Scholarship Program.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 24, 2009