Philip Donald Lander, 94, of La Fontaine, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2017 at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Eldorado, Kansas, prior to the depression, to the late William and Edna (Myers) Lander.
The family later moved to Stark City,Missouri. He graduate valedictorian in 1940 from Midway High School, and attended Joplin Jr. College. Over the next five years, he moved to Texas with his brother Harold, where they worked in the oil fields, worked as a welder in the shipyards in Baltimore, MD, and then with the Civil Service in Canada and later worked in shipyards in Prince Rupert,British Columbia.
In 1945, when his parents relocated to the Van Buren area, he worked in the machine shop at Grissom Air Force Base, continuing his civil service. Later he worked for five years with his father and brother Harold drilling wells and installing water systems.
In 1950, he met and married Sarah Fuqua, she survives. In 1958, they bought eleven acres on Harreld Road, Marion, where they founded a housing addition on Willow Drive, known as Landale Addition.
In 1975, Phil and Sarah bought a small farm near Treaty. In 1982, they moved to a farm east of La Fontaine, where they retired.
He worked in maintenance at the Kroger Milk Plant from 1950 until the company sold out in 1974, when he then started working at General Motors Marion Plant, in the power house, until he retired in 1984.
He was devoted to and loved his family. Enjoyed gospel music, fishing and did considerable property construction. He was also a 60 year member of the Van Buren Masonic Lodge, and a long time member of the Treaty Church of Christ.
Other survivors include, Daughters-Sharon (Myron) Peterson, La Fontaine, Judith (Robert) Horner, Marion, three Grandchildren-Rebecca (Vincent) Faulstich, Kimberly (David) Dempsey, and Philip Peterson, five Great-Grandchildren, and two Gr. Gr. Grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his Parents-William & Edna Lander, Brother-Harold Lander, and Daughter-Mary Frances Lander.
Family and friends may gather to share and remember and Ferguson & Glancy Funeral Home 201 W. Main St. Van Buren on Friday, January 13, 2017 from 12:00PM to 1:00PM. A Masonic Service will be conducted at 12:30PM and the funeral service to celebrate Philip’s life will follow at 1:00PM. Rev. Joseph Shaver will be officiating and burial will take place in the Van Buren Masonic Cemetery.
In honor of Philip’s life friends are encouraged to make a memorial donation to Kindred Hospice, 1476 W. 18th St., Rochester,IN 46975. The family would like to thank them for all the kind help and assistance they provided in this difficult time.
Online condolences to the family may be made at www.glancyfuneralhomes.com