Tod A. Lancaster (65) of Effingham

Tod A. Lancaster, 65, of Effingham, IL, passed away peacefully at his home Monday, May 7, 2018, with his wife at his side.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. Fourth Street, Effingham, IL. Cremation rites will be accorded with burial at a later date in Elmwood Cemetery, Warren, IL.

Memorials may be made in Tod’s memory to First Presbyterian Church, Effingham, or the Effingham Performance Center. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Tod was born on December 29, 1952, in Aurora, IL, the son of Dwene L. and Joanne (Gum) Lancaster. He was united in marriage to Marjorie Hutmacher on June 17, 1972, and she survives.

A graduate of Warren High School, Warren, IL, and the University of Illinois, he worked for DeKalb Ag Research and JM Schultz Seed Co. in sales and advertising. In 1989, he opened his own Advertising-Marketing Agency, The Lancaster Co/Informpro Inc. which he ran successfully for 20 years. His entrepreneurial spirit also led him to own and operate WEIL television station for several years, and Super Wash car washes in Charleston and Mattoon.

Tod was an avid catch-and-release fisherman and enjoyed singing, traveling with Marge, and collecting antique fishing gear. In 2007, he was blessed to receive a liver transplant and was an active promoter of organ donation.

Tod was devoted to his family and community, serving as Elder in the First Presbyterian Church, past president of the Effingham Noon Rotary Club, an organizing member of Effingham Community Support Group, and serving on the boards of both the Effingham Chamber of Commerce and the Effingham Performance Center. He was instrumental in the Effingham County “No Place for Drugs” Campaign, obtaining funding for the Kluthe Memorial Pool, and passage of the referendum for Effingham High School. For his years of community service, Tod was honored to be chosen Effingham County Citizen of the Year in 2017.

Tod is survived by his wife, Marge; daughters, Amy (Brian) Eschman of Columbia, MD and Lauren Neal of Glen Carbon, IL; grandchildren, Aleah and Brandon Eschman, and Quinn Neal; mother, Joanne Lancaster of Apple Canyon Lake, IL; brothers, Terry (Patricia) Lancaster of Annawan, IL, Ted (Patricia) Lancaster of Hoschton, GA, Tracy (Debra) Lancaster of Buffalo Grove, IL; sisters, Sheri (David) Lavoie of Plymouth, MN, Sue Ann (Dr. Steven) Goedderz of New London, WI; sister-in-law, Marianne (Gary) Fier of Clinton, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dwene Lancaster; and infant son, Nathan Lancaster.