Rodney Lansaw: 1922 – 2008
Rodney Lansaw, 86, a resident of Churubusco, died at 8:10 p. m. on Monday, February 18, 2008, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Mr. Lansaw was born in Breathitt County, Kentucky on January 14, 1922, a son of Taylor and Gracie Alma (Lockard) Lansaw, and attended Jackson High School in Jackson, Kentucy. He moved to the Churubusco area as a young man, and was a World War II Army veteran, serving in the European, African, and Middle Eastern theaters. He participated in the invasion of France, was wounded there, and received the prestigious Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
On August 28, 1946 he was married in Avilla to Janice E. Guiff, and spent all of his adult life in the Churubusco community. An employee of Petrolane Gas Company, he retired from there in 1985.
He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in LaOtto, and was a former Sunday School superintendent. He was also a 50-year member and twice worshipful master of Huntertown Lodge 689 F&AM, the American Legion, Disabled Veterans, Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, and enjoyed visiting with friends at the Magic Wand Restaurant in Churubusco.
The surviving relatives include his wife Janice, to whom he was married for over 61 years; his children Leon Creech of Churubusco, Sandra (Larry) Jensen of Kendallville, Michael (Susan) Lansaw of Fort Wayne, David (companion Robert Laycock) Lansaw of Cleveland, OH., and Kristina (Richard) Holbrook of West Des Moines, IA; three sisters Delphia (Richard) Lauer, Dorothy (Ernest) Faurote, and Shirlee Sidicane, all of Fort Wayne; 12 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six brothers Raleigh Lansaw, Garland Lansaw, Woodford Lansaw, Ruben Lansaw, Terry Lansaw, and Ralph Lansaw; and by three sisters infant Marjorie Lansaw, Geneva Parks, and Bethel Nitcher.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Friday, February 22, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Sue Socha, pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, officiating.
The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Thursday from 4 to 8 p. m. Huntertown Lodge 689 F&AM will conduct memorial services at 8 p. m. Thursday at the mortuary.
Interment with full military graveside rites will be in the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco.
The family requests that memorials be directed to Emmanual Lutheran Church, LaOtto; or to Huntertown Lodge 689 F&AM.
***************************************
To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. Lansaw’s memory, please click on “Condolences” below. . .
February 19th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
I’m sorry I never got to meet him.
February 20th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Dear Janice and family
My sincere sympathy at this time. I will remember you in my prayers.
Bette Hale, Emmanuel Lutheran Church
February 21st, 2008 at 5:12 pm
I am sorry about the loss of your husband and father. I didn’t know him very well but I knew he was a very nice guy who will be missed dearly. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I didn’t know Uncle Rodney well,but was hostess to him and Bob Diemer one rainy weekend at my home in Middlesboro, Ky. We caught a dry afternoon and went out to the flea market. He bought me a small Indian totem pole as a keepsake which I cherish. My Mom and Dad spoke highly of him as will I. We have made an donation to the Cancer Soceity in his name.With our deepest sympathy, Suzy Settles and family
February 24th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Uncle Rodney will be greatly missed.I just wish we would of kept in touch more.He will be really missed at the Three Rivers cookout that Norma throws every year we always looked forward to him and Janice and the girls and some of Rodney and Janices own kids comming over to opals house and visiting with everyone there, between both houses they were full with relatives and would all wait patiently to watch the fireworks and have a good time. Im not going to say goodbye because I know you are up with Ral & Opal and Grandma and Grandpa and you are having one heck of a reunion, so I will say see you later because we will see you again and we to will join it that reunion to .
Love and Misses Lisa Landsaw Ward and Family
February 27th, 2008 at 11:15 am
it’s been along time but we were neighbors years ago on the madden road , i was friends with shirlee and i wish to send her my condolences
September 30th, 2009 at 3:07 am
I will never forget Uncle Rodney. When I remember him it is always out in front of Granma Gracies house. We were talking out by the front door. I always listend to everything he said because my dad (Ruben) had told me about Rodney being in the army. I am sorry to just be reading about this. My condolences to Aunt Janice and his children.