Kenneth Richard Lancaster

Kenneth Richard Lancaster began life on August 29, 1934, and died on June 9, 2020.  He spent all of those 85-plus years living in and around Hastings.  He graduated from Hastings High School in 1953, when he then started at Hastings Manufacturing, spending much of his long career managing their Catalog Department.  Before Alzheimer's disease stole Ken's abilities, he enjoyed shooting, golfing, fishing, a beer or two, and taking care of his lakeside home.  Ken was preceded in death by his wife Nancy, his parents Richard and Alberta (nee Higgins), and his brother, Clarence.  He is survived by his brother, Allen (Liz); his children Rick (Liz), Mark (Michelle), Ron (Lynn), Kendra (Tim) Ockerman, and Peg (Don) Mosteller; and his step-children Jeff, Tim (Leah) and Andy (Kim) Jenkins, and Teresa (Ray) Alcalan.  There are also a bunch of grandkids Ken loved to teach how to fish, and an ever-increasing number of great-grandkids he will never know.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the family has delayed a memorial until a later date, to be announced.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests any gifts go to the Cottages at Thornapple Manor, 2700 Nashville Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058, where Ken was treated like family for many years, or Grace Hospice, 2725 Airview Blvd, Suite 101, Portage, MI 49002-1804, who took care of him near the end.  And finally, we know Ken would have been delighted if you would lift a Budweiser in his honor.  There will be a Celebration of Life Service in May of 2021 at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway; Hastings, MI  49058.  Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home.  To leave an online condolence, visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net .