Robert Lancaster

Robert Olan Lancaster, 70, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., died Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

He was born Oct. 7, 1936, and raised by his late grandparents, Rolan and Gladys Lancaster of East Prairie.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Dorothy Jean Hubbard Lancaster, together with their son, Rodney and wife, Aya, and grandson, Robert Makino "Bobby" Lancaster of Osaka, Japan; two brothers, Ronnie Holcomb (Julie) of Marion, Ind., Malcolm Hoffman (Ann) of Jonesboro, Ark.; two sisters, Faye Anderson (Bob) of Simi Valley, Calif., Darlene Goodman (Roy) of Jonesboro; and an aunt, Dortha Smith (Bill) of Central Point, Ore.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Vivian Hoffman; his grandparents; and five aunts with whom he was also raised.

Robert served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1958.

He retired from maintenance at Rockwood Schools in St. Louis County due to heart problems. He received a heart transplant in 1992.

Robert enjoyed several hobbies during his retirement years, including creating small wooden carvings, and learning to play the banjo and other stringed instruments. He and his wife enjoyed doing magic shows to promote organ donations and Christianity.

He attended Cape County Cowboy Church at Fruitland.

Visitation will be held from noon to service time today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Fueral Home.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mike Huffman and the Rev. Luther Rhodes officiating. A graveside committal service will be held at 5 p.m. in Dogwood Cemetery near East Prairie.

Pallbearers will be Kenny Sneathem, Chris Cannon, Leo Martin, Mutt Williams, Ed Whitham and Michael Summers.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mid America Transplant, 1139 Olivette Executive Parkway, St. Louis, Mo., 63132, or East Prairie Alumni Association, P.O. Box 206, East Prairie, Mo., 63845, or the charity of your choice.