John G. Lanke, 74, of Terre Haute, died Sunday, April 25, 2010, at 1:11 a.m., at Terre Haute Regional Hospital's emergency room. He worked at the Tribune-Star for 53 years, starting in the stereotype department on Dec. 17, 1956, making plates for the press, then later moved to the mailroom until December 1997, and continued working part-time until his death. John was born Dec. 22, 1935, in Terre Haute, to John Lanke and Julia (Szabo) Lanke.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Cherie (Wood) Lanke, whom he married March 31, 1961, in Miami, Fla.; children, Linda and Jim Lance, Lt. Col. Cheryl Lanke, and Carol and Doug Sanqunetti; grandchildren, Matthew and Christopher Lance, and Andrew and Rachel Sanqunetti; brothers, William and Sandi Lanke, and Michael and Betty Lanke; an aunt, Elizabeth Leusing; an uncle, John Chervenko; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Patty Ann; grandparents, Mike and Mary Szabo, and George and Zenovia Lanke. John loved his family and loved to travel and be outdoors.
He was a member of Maple Avenue United Methodist Church, a graduate of Garfield High School and Indiana State University with a master's degree in technology. He also was a veteran of the U.S. Army, specialist third class, from Jan. 12, 1954 until Dec. 14, 1956, and served at the White Sands Missile Launching Site.
Funeral services are Thursday, April 29, 2010, at 11 a.m., in Callahan-DeBaun Funeral Home, 2425 Wabash Ave., with Pastor David Rockhill officiating. Burial will be in Highland Lawn Cemetery, with military honors provided by Lawton-Byrum Post 972 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Visitation will be today from 4 to 8 p.m., in the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Bill Lanke, Mike Lanke, Matthew Lance, Christopher Lance, Jim Lance, Doug Sanqunetti, and Andrew Sanqunetti. The family suggests that for those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to Maple Avenue United Methodist Church in John's memory.

Published in The Tribune Star on 4/27/2010