George R. Lanning

George R. Lanning Jr., 73, of Elkhart, went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

George was born on May 31, 1949, in Elyria, Ohio. He got his first set of "real" parents when he was 15. On May 6, 2006, in Osceola, Indiana, George married the love of his life, Susan (Jacobs) Lanning.

George is preceded in death by his son, Benjamin Elliott; father, the Rev. John Weyant; and sisters, Christine Lanning and Ruthann Agee.

George is survived by his wife, Susan of Elkhart; mother, Elaine Weyant of Fairfield Glade, Tennessee; children, Amy Marshall of Wabash; Jessica (Douglas) Watkins of Elkhart; Christopher Elliott of Elkhart; Samantha (Marcus) Kolar of Villa Park, Illinois; grandchildren, Kelsey (Kyle) Bracht; Emmett, Alison and Evan Brewer; Jack and Keira Kolar; Olivia, Anthony and Charlie Elliott; great-grandchildren, Bentlee, Griffin and Kendall; brothers, Terry (MaryGlyn) Weyant; James (Dawn) Weyant; Lee (Diane) Booth; and sister, Alberta "Birdie" (Bill) Roth; and his church family.

George had been a lonely street kid, belonging nowhere, living on his own when he first went to church. One Sunday the pastor was speaking on John 3:16. He asked the congregants to put their own name in the verse. George went along with it and ran it through his mind: "For God so loved George Lanning that he gave His only Son, that if George Lanning believed in him, he wouldn't die, but have eternal life." George would later say, "Something clicked in my mind, and I knew God was calling me. I answered." He subsequently devoted his life to the Lord.

Following his graduation from high school in Niles, Ohio, George studied at the Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music. He completed his Bachelor's Degree in Christian Education from Moody Bible Institute and earned his Master's Degree in Divinity from Grace College and Seminary. A devout Christian, George became an ordained minister. Early in his career he worked as a district leader with Campus Life and Youth for Christ and he served in several church youth ministries. He continued through the years to keep in touch with many of the kids whose teams he coached and whose lives he touched. He was a member and often times teacher of a Tuesday men's fellowship group. He was also a long-time member, life group leader and teacher at First Baptist Church in Bristol.

George was a gifted vocalist and music leader. He traveled across the country, performing with the choral groups Light & Power and Sound Investment. He was blessed to direct a choir of 400 that performed during the Bicentennial Celebration in Yorktown, Virginia. He was a frequent soloist at several area churches, often performing at special holiday events and pageants.

Grampy George loved spending time with his beloved family. He coached his grandkids' soccer teams and enthusiastically attended their various other sporting and special events. He and his wife enjoyed time together boating and fishing on Lake Michigan and riding their Goldwing motorcycle. George loved people. He never met a stranger. His kind, gracious nature and wonderfully inviting smile was infectious and endearing.

A Celebration of George's Life Service will be held at First Baptist Church, 53953 C.R.17, Bristol, Indiana, on Friday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m. with Pastors Phil Byars and John Blodgett of First Baptist Church officiating.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 9 to 11 a.m. prior to the start of the service at the church.

Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, Indiana, is assisting the family.

Memorial contributions may be directed to First Baptist Church, 53953 C.R. 17, Bristol, IN 46507.

Those who wish to send a condolence, share a memory or order flowers may do so at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.