Ivan D. Lancaster

Ivan D. Lancaster, age 81 passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, December 26, 2023 at Demaree Crossing Assisted Living in Greenwood. He was a lifelong resident of Trafalgar.
Ivan was born on January 30, 1942 in Franklin to his parents, Raymond E. and Viola Eveline (Hollandbeck) Lancaster. He was a 1960 graduate of Trafalgar High School and lived his entire life on Pearl Street in Trafalgar, with the exception of attending Franklin College, where he graduated in 1964 with a degree in Education.
Ivan taught his first year at Center Grove Elementary School, teaching fifth grade. The next year he taught Social Studies and Language Arts at Nineveh School. When the high school consolidated to be a part of Indian Creek High School, Ivan stayed at Nineveh, teaching 5th and 6th grade. When the new Indian Creek Middle School opened in 1976, he transferred there and taught 6th and 7th grade social studies. While at the middle school, Ivan served as the Social Studies Dept. Head and Chair of the Social Committee. He retired in 1999 after 35 years of service.
Ivan is a fifty-year-plus member of Trafalgar Christian Church, was a longtime Elder and also formerly served as an Assistant Sunday School Supt., Deacon, on the Worship Committee. Ivan was a Past Master of Trafalgar Masonic Lodge, now the Nineveh Lodge. He served as Worthy Patron of the Trafalgar Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, now of Nineveh Chapter. Ivan served as Watchman of Shepherds of Indianapolis Shrine; Sponsor of the Indiana State White Shrine Association; Supreme King and the Supreme Watchman of Shepherds of The Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem of North America; Royal Patron of Indianapolis Court; Past Grand Royal Patron of the Indiana Grand Court, Order of the Amaranth; member of True Kindred of Illinois; Indianapolis Valley of Scottish Rite, Murat Temple of Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and the three York Rite Bodies. He has been active for 25 years in the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls as Grand Organizer, Grand Chairman, Member of the Grand Executive Committee, and Grand Lecturer, a member of the National Sojourners and the Heroes of 76. Other memberships include, Program Committee for the Johnson County Historical Society Museum, former director for Hensley Township and formerly served as President of The Brown County Historical Society. Ivan also had membership in Morgan County Historical and Genealogy Association, Montgomery County Historical Society, Indiana Historical Society, Brown County Genealogical Society and Filson Club. He is a Life Member of the Society of Indiana Pioneers, and a member of several Scottish Societies and Clan organizations. Ivan was also a Life Member of The Boone Society and served on its board of directors for many years. He was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. He served twice as Dept. Commander of the Sons, being a Past Camp Commander of Ben Harrison Camp. Ivan was a Past Councilor of Indianapolis Council, Daughters of America and served as State Councilor of Indiana. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Johnson County Friends of the Library and a former board member of the First Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Association. Ivan was also a patron member of the Matinee Musicale and had a life-long interest in genealogy and history.
Ivan is survived by his brothers, John Lancaster and Jerry (Tresa) Lancaster, both of Trafalgar; cousins, Teresa (Ed) Waltz and Ed (Teresa) Lancaster, both of Trafalgar; nieces, Lisa (Randy) Lancaster, Trisha (Adam) Oatess, Kerri (Matthew) Myers, Joni (Jesse) McShanog & Carissa (Walid) Lancaster; nephews, James Lancaster and Matthew Lancaster.
Besides his parents, Ivan was preceded in death by his cousin, Gary Lancaster.
Pastor Deb Saxon will conduct a funeral service on Thursday, January 4th at 10:30 a.m. at Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry Street in Morgantown. Friends may call from 3 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. A Masonic and Order of the Eastern Star Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. A memorial service by the Rebekahs – Independent Order of Odd Fellows will be held at the start of the funeral service on Thursday. Burial will be at Harris Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ivan to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023 Merrifield, VA 22116.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be made to the Lancaster family at meredith-clark.com
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