Jean C. Lancaster

Jean C. Kleintank Lancaster, 88, of Union, died, Thursday, January 23, 2025, at her home. Everyone who knew Jean also knew how organized she was, and the following obituary is prepared from information she wrote and wished to share at her passing. 

Jean was born on February 12, 1936, to John Ellwood and Lillian (Herrmann) Kleintank in Bromley, Kentucky, and was the second oldest of four children. There were sisters, Arlene Kleintank Reeves and the late Nancy Kleintank Herrington, and her brother, Ronald, who was her confidante, friend and idol. He left the world all too soon after being hit and killed by a drunken driver shortly after his 18th birthday. Because they were so close in age -only 15 months apart- they shared everything, and his death was a tragedy she never ever got over. (Jean is now celebrating the joyful reunion that she looked forward to for so many years.) Hers was a very close-knit family, and the tragedy of Ronald’s death changed their lives forever. 

As a child, church attendance was sporadic and not a priority. Jean’s parents never attended church with their children. She did not make a profession of faith until an adult in her twenties – and she considered the wait a loss for all concerned. Her paternal grandmother, Ida Kleintank, had the greatest impact on her life though neither of them knew it at the time and since she died two days after Ron’s death there was no way for her to know. (But as Jean conceded, then again, she guess she did!) Ida was a God fearing, practicing Christian who taught everyone by her daily living, her example, and by her love for others. She looked out for Jean as a child and Jean spent the most part of her summers with her. Jean says that she realized later that any good she may have accomplished was due to her Grandmother Ida’s example, the love of her dad, and the grace of God. Unfortunately, in the hustle and bustle of living it took her too many years to realize Ida’s gift to her and the world. 

Jean married Dawson Lancaster, on May 4, 1957. This union produced three handsome sons, Ellwood Lee, Douglas Ray and Steven Jay. She states that they each had three distinct personalities, but all had inherited her desire to help their fellow man. They also inherited her stubborn or "prove to me” streak that caused Dawson to say, “she had to be from Missouri!” Jean loved each of her sons with all the pride and love only a mother could know. Jean loved her sons equally, and as individuals, but she sometimes felt that they thought partiality was shown. This was never intended… They were her sons, her own flesh and blood, and her world evolved around them and Dawson. Jean’s love will continue even after death because her sons were her greatest achievement. She had the heartache of losing five babies which made these three “extra special." 

Although she was sometimes impulsive, unpredictable and hardworking, Jean states that she didn’t follow fads or care to be a part of the “in” crowd. It didn't bother her to be an individual if she felt she had to compromise her beliefs in God and life to do so. Loyal almost to a fault, if she gave her word she would follow through if at all possible and it upset her when others did not do the same. If something needed to be done, Jean’s attitude was to “do it and go on your way” and not to wait for recognition or all the "ands, if’s and buts” to be solved first. She loved people in general but was more drawn to the “underdog” than the “top brass” type. Jean was perceptive to the needs of others and tried to treat others as she wanted to be treated and enjoyed helping others because she truly felt there was too little compassion for each other in the world. Jean loved to read and to write cards and letters to friends. Psalms was one of her favorite books of the Bible because it seemed to deal so much with love, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion: the things she felt the world needed more of. 

Jean worked outside the home several times. She was a retired secretary for the Bendix Aviation Corporation and was a Demo Coordinator for Sam’s Club. But her greatest love was the simpler things of life; being a homemaker, making a good home for her husband and sons, cooking, sewing, and making crafts. She loved the gift of her two grandchildren, Kayla Lancaster and Jesse Lancaster. Jesse especially was good medicine, who could always make her laugh and who reminded her of brother, Ron, when he was little. 

Jean was also an active member at Burlington Baptist Church. She spent many happy years working with preschoolers from the nursery through the five-year-olds. She spent many years as a nursery director, coteaching the five-year-olds and the two-year-olds. The two-year-olds were her favorite because they were so honest, eager to learn, easy to please, and easy to love. She said the word “precious” best describes them. In between teaching Sunday School, she periodically went back to her own adult class to "regroup” and renew friendships, and where she started a card/prayer visitation for her program at a local nursing home that was special to both her and the residents. 

Over the years Jean opened her home to many who needed a place to live. Many people, of all ages—a niece, a nephew, a 95 year old grandfather, a mother in law, great nieces, grandson—whoever needed a home. She often laughed that she was going to put a sign in the yard “home for the wayward!” Her sewing room was constantly being converted to a bedroom and Dawson never really knew when he came in from work how many had joined our family or for how long. She willingly absorbed the extra guests and chores connected with it because she truly felt that was what God wanted her to do, and so it was the natural thing to do. 

Good health seemed to evade her when as a child of one year of age, Jean nearly died of diphtheria and caught every childhood disease in extreme form. She learned her limitations and when she could function well, she did double time and other days, she accepted the inevitable. Jean was organized and didn't like clutter, and she was not afraid to give her opinion.

Jean lived her entire life within a 40 mile radius of where she was born, except for her visits to Sanibel Island and Venice, Florida. She felt very fortunate to be able to share her latter years in her two favorite places--Boone County and Florida--with Dawson, and her son, Ellwood. Since she didn't tolerate the cold well, Venice became her "home away from home' where she had many friends that she would have otherwise not met, beautiful warm weather, casual living and another good church home. 

Financial things were not a top priority to Jean. Sincere friendship, family and loyalty were what mattered. She felt in awe that she had been blessed by the love and friendship of so many people in her church and community. Of course, she was also blessed by having a good and loving husband of 67 years, Dawson, her sons, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and family. What more could you ask out of life? Her great grandchildren, Kinsley Rae Lancaster and Crue Rowan Lancaster, brought new love and joy into her life and both she and Dawson were fortunate to have their son, Ellwood, live with them in their senior years (though that was not in his or theirs plan!) He saw the need and became a caregiver and did an excellent job. He never complained, did whatever needed to be done during crisis after crisis (and there were a lot of them) and faced each day with no regrets. (Jean hopes he got that trait from her!) Both she and Dawson could never repay him for his love and loyalty. 

Finally, Jean closes by saying,"To Ellwood, Douglas and Steven, I am proud to call each of you SON and feel blessed to have had you in my life. I'm glad to have Jesus too. God bless. Until we meet again, Love, Mom"

Services to honor Jean's memory are as follows: Visitation is Monday, January 27, 2025 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Middendorf-Bullock Funeral Home, Hebron. Funeral Service to follow at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Interment at Burlington Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Burlington Baptist Church, 3031 Washington Street, Burlington, KY 41005, Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or a charity of the donor's choice.