LEROY LANCASTER

MCBRIDE, Mo. -- Retired Air Force Lt. Col. LeRoy M. Lancaster, 79, of Chestertown, Md., died Sunday, Oct. 29, 2000, in Chestertown of apparent heart failure.

He was born at McBride, son of Joseph and Julia Lancaster.

Lancaster served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1972. He was a command pilot with more than 10,000 hours flying time.

He received many decorations, including: Two Purple Hearts, Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Marine Corps Commendation Medal, American Campaign Medal with a Bronze Star, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), and Vietnam Service Medal.

Lancaster was a member of Frank M. Jarman American Legion Post 36 in Chestertown, and Dover Chapter of Retired Officers Association.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; a son, Jeffrey Lancaster of Williamsburg, Va.; a daughter, Kimberly Dyer of Omaha, Neb.; a stepdaughter, Deborah Kiel of Dover, Del.; a sister, Ida Hennemann of Perryville, Mo.; and six grandchildren.

Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newman Funeral Home in Chestertown.

Funeral with full military honors will be held at 1 p.m. Nov. 14 in Fort Myers Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.