Obituaries o-L003 ©1998-2011

Obituary of Elizabeth LANCASTER, Macoupin County Illinois © 2004 Submitted by: Loretta Beeuwsaert

Name of Deceased: LANCASTER, Elizabeth
Name of Newspaper: Bunker Hill Gazette
Date of Obituary: May 25, 1882 
Obituary: On Saturday last, Mrs. Elizabeth LANCASTER, Sr., in the 70th year of her age. Deceased was a native of England, and a woman of excellent attributes as a wife, mother and neighbor. She with her husband emigrated to this country in 1843, settling near Litchfield, removing thence to this place in the year following. Mrs. LANCASTER was the mother of nine children, seven of whom survive, all married. The funeral took place on Tuesday, at the Episcopal Church, Rev. G. HIGGINS officiating.

Obituary of Francis LANCASTER, Macoupin County Illinois ©2004 Submitted by: Loretta Beeuwsaert

Name of Deceased: LANCASTER, Francis
Name of Newspaper: Bunker Hill Gazette
Date of Obituary: November 13, 1895 
Obituary: DEATH'S HARVEST Old time Resident Passed Away. At his home near this place, at 10 o'clock a.m. on Thursday, November 7th, Francis LANCASTER, aged 82 years and 2 months. Thus we chronicle the passing away of another of the very few venerable men who stand as relics of what (for want of a better term) we call pioneer days – men remarkable for physical endurance and sturdy rugged traits of character. Francis LANCASTER stood among the best of his day and class. His industry was proverbial; with limited education, he had deep knowledge of practical business concerns; he accumulated a handsome property honestly; there was no suspicion of sharp dealing or trickery in any of his concerns; he reared a family to habits of labor, economy and upright dealing. It is some few years since he was able to give attention to active concerns. Debility incident to age held him almost constantly in his room, and there have been times when death seemed inevitable. He was in such condition when Bishop SEYMOUR (Episcopal) last visited here, and the distinguished clergyman visited the venerable gentleman at his home, at his request, and conferred the rite of confirmation. Francis LANCASTER was a native of England. He came to Alton in 1841, a brick maker by trade. Three years later he was working at his trade in this place, and he it was who made the brick for the old portion of the Congregational Church, Huggins' Block, and other buildings. With the money earned in these few years, he was enabled to send for the wife and children he had left in his native land. In 1856 he bought the land whereon was his home until his death, a farm property not to be anywhere surpassed in excellence, naturally and by way of improvement, and it was here he acquired most of his ample means, farming and stock-raising. His wife died in 1883; she was the mother of ten children; five are dead, of whom the latest to pass away and but recently, was John, whose death the venerable gentleman mourned deeply, he being the only son remaining near home, and upon whom he placed great dependency in business concerns. Living descendants number five children, twenty-seven grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren. For some years past, the venerable gentleman was cared for personally by his niece, Miss Carrie LANCASTER, his sister Mrs. Comfort RIDGELY having charge of the house. The children surviving are as follows: William, a well to do farmer and thorough business man living near Beatrice, Nebraska; Mary, wife of Dr. Asaph BARNES of Girard; Matilda, wife of Joseph BARNES, Sumner County, Kansas. All of these named, accompanied by their husbands or wives (Joseph BARNES excepted) and with them other relatives, upwards of thirty in number, were present at the funeral, which took place from the Congregational Church on Sunday afternoon. Rev. A. F. HERTEL conducting the service in the presence of a large and deeply interested assemblage. The intention had been to have the service at the Episcopal Church, but there was no minister of faith here or within reach.

Obituary of  George LANCASTER Sr.,  Macoupin County Illinois © Submitted  2003 M Trover

Name of Deceased: LANCASTER, George Sr.
Name of Newspaper: one of Carlinville, IL's
Date of Obituary: March 3, 1920
Obituary: George LANCASTER, at one time a resident of this city, died at 5:30 Monday at the home of his daughter in Chatham. He was about 80 years of age at the time of death. The remains were brought to this city Tuesday, and were taken to the home of his daughter, Mrs. George BOWYER, on North West Street. Funeral services will be held from the BOWYER residence at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon. Rev. H. H. FIRTH, of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, officiating. Interment will be made in the City cemetery. Mr. LANCASTER is survived by four sons who reside in Girard, one daughter of Chatham, one in St. Louis and Mrs. George BOWYER, of this city. [Note: his children are Harriett (Mrs. George W. BELL, Chatham); Emma (Mrs. George S. BOWYER, Carlinville); Elizabeth (Mrs. George STRAUB, St. Louis, MO); George, John, Henry, Fred, and William LANCASTER, Girard, IL. Either Henry or William, as well as his wife, Fannie F. AMES, predeceased him. Mr. LANCASTER came to America about 1870 from England.]

Obituary of Sarah Elizabeth LANCASTER (BOWYER), Macoupin County Illinois © 2003 M Trover

Name of Deceased: LANCASTER, Sarah Elizabeth (BOWYER)
Name of Newspaper: Girard Gazette
Date of Obituary: March 21, 1912
Obituary: Died Suddenly Mrs. Sarah LANCASTER of this city died at the home of  her daughter, Mrs. Edward GLASS in Carlinville, Thursday morning, March 21 at  8:55. Mrs. LANCASTER was called there about two weeks ago by the illness of her mother, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth SEAMAN BOWYER. It was while she was waiting upon her late mother that she was taken suddenly ill last Saturday with pneumonia, with the result above stated. She leaves to mourn her loss the husband, George LANCASTER and two daughters: Mrs. Fannie GLASS of Carlinville and Mrs. Eli MARTIN of this city. She is also survived by two sisters and three brothers, namely: Mrs. Mary RYAN, Mrs. Emma ARNOLD, George, Edward, and Albert BOWYER all of Carlinville. Funeral session will be held in Carlinville on Sunday, March 24th.


Obituary of John LITTOVICH, Jr., Macoupin County Illinois © 2006 Submitted by Chris Grove Surgis

Name of Deceased: LITTOVICH, John Jr
Name of Newspaper: Litchfield Daily Union
Date of Obituary: 12-3-1924
Obituary: John LITTOVICH Jr. 12-3-1924 Litchfield Daily Union pg 1 Monday RADIO GIVES DEATH MESSAGE John LITTOVICH Sr., formerly of Staunton whose son John age 11 died at St. Francis hospital Thursday from meningitis received word of his son’s death in St. Louis by radio. At the time of the boy’s death, the father’s whereabouts were unknown and a friend of the family in Staunton had the death message broadcasted and the father’s employer in St. Louis intercepted it. He knew LITTOVICH was one of his 250 employees. By this means the father arrived in time to attend his son’s funeral.