Eddie Lancaster

Eddie Lancaster

Age 59 of Carbon Hill, passed away Monday, August 9, 2021 at his home.

Born August 10, 1961 in Wyatt, Missouri, Eddie Vernon is a son of Helen (nee Powers), and the late Norman Lancaster, Sr. He was raised and educated in Coal City and graduated from Coal City High School with the Class of 1979. On June 26, 1982, Ed married Lori Cerny in the Coal City United Methodist Church, and together they made a home and raised their family.

Following graduation from high school, Ed went to work as a union painter and drywaller, a job in which he loved, as well as the co-workers he worked alongside. Most recently he had gained employment with Franciscan Village and served as a Maintenance Technician since 2017.

25 years ago, when Ed and his family moved to Carbon Hill, he immediately became active within the community. He served as a Trustee on the Village Board for 13 years and was enthusiastically involved with the Carbon Hill Homecoming. He truly loved working with other members within the community; took great pride in making enhancements to the village, and was pleased to see such improvements as within the beer garden and establishing new playground equipment. This past homecoming of 2021, Ed was honored as the Carbon Hill Homecoming Grand Marshall, and it was an honor he truly cherished.

Ed’s family was second to none. He loved spending time with family, and especially “his girls”; his wife, daughters and granddaughter. In recent years he enjoyed going to work every day with his Franciscan Village “Family”, and when he was at home he took great pleasure in home improvements. Woodworking was also an enjoyable pastime for Ed, especially such projects like the treehouse he constructed for his granddaughter, Amelia.

Generous, warm, and welcoming, Eddie Vernon Lancaster lived a life rich in family and friends. A man who never met a stranger, Ed greeted every person as a friend and each moment as a gift. Ed found deep satisfaction in helping others and working to make the best of his community. He was a fun-loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Ed was a powerful role model to all who were blessed to know him, and he will long be remembered and ever so missed.

Survivors include his wife, Lori; two daughters, Tiffany Lancaster of Westmont and Whitney Lancaster of Carbon Hill; one granddaughter, Amelia Lancaster; his mother, Helen Lancaster of Royalton; Aunt Margie Colaric (who was like a second mother) of Coal City; two brothers: Norman, Jr. (Terri) Lancaster of Herrin, IL and Michael Lancaster of Wilmington, DE; one sister, Levesia (Danny) Hujda of Mokena; his mother-in-law, Sandy Cerny of Coal City; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Cindy (Kim) Brackett of Coal City, Tammy (Kevin) Christian of Morris and Michael (Lynn) Cerny of Oregon, and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his longtime friends, Charlie and Denise Shain of Carbon Hill.

Ed was preceded in death by his father, Norman Lancaster, Sr. and his father-in-law, Tony Cerny.

Per Eddie’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded, and there will be no formal funeral services. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date at the Carbon Hill Park to celebrate his life and love for family, friends and community.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Ed’s family for their distribution to assist in medical bills is appreciated. A funeral care fund link is available on Ed’s memorial page.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Ed’s memorial page online through social media by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com/obituary/Eddie-Lancaster

Cremation services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City. ( 815-634-2125 )