John B. Lancey

John B. Lancey, 86, of Waterloo, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 4, 2024,

John was born April 5, 1938, in Danbury, CT, the son of Irving and Ruth (Peck) Lancey.

He was the second to last of twelve children.  He attended a technical school, studying architecture, in lieu of regular high school.   As a young man, he joined the army serving as a MP (Military Police) officer.  He attended Baptist Bible Seminary in Johnson City, NY, where he met the mother of his children, Judy.  After college, he re-enlisted in the Army Reserve.

He moved to Danbury, CT (near his family) and then Omaha, NE, to help a friend start a small church.   There, he attended Grace Bible Institute, graduating in 1971.

The majority of his life, he worked in a grocery store while being an interim/assistant pastor at Spanish-speaking Baptist church, Primera Iglesia Bautista.  He also joined the National Guard in Nebraska.

Later in life he studied computer programming and airplane mechanics, and he worked as a security guard, FINALLY retiring at the age of 79.

His hobbies were reading, playing games on his phone, watching NCIS or any western.  He loved going for long car rides that he called “adventures”, eating spaghetti, ANYTHING chocolate and going to buffets.   He especially loved our dog, Fozzee Bear.  He had a crazy sense of humor and sometimes made us laugh when he wasn’t even trying.   He loved his coffee, especially when having coffee time with others.

John is survived by his children: Esther (Olatunde) Ramos Okunnu, Lois Jea, and Mary (David) Stodola; grandchildren Adam (Christina) Ramos, Andrew Ramos, Eniola Okunnu, Jasmine (Tyler) Bergman, Stephanie (Matthew) Capp, and D. Joey Stodola; great-grandsons Oliver and Brodie Bergman; mother of his children Judy (Lancey) Dole; and sister-in-law Mary Lancey. John is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

John is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Constance, Neal, Robert, A. Christine, June,  Richard, Everett, Theodore, William, Elizabeth, and Walter, and special friend Grace Nelson.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 6:00 PM at Cornerstone Church of Waterloo, Rev. Dr. Aaron Sturgill presiding. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until the time of service at the church.