Michael Lanker

Mass of Christian Burial for Michael Lanker, 69-year-old Buffalo resident who passed away suddenly at his home south of Buffalo, Wednesday afternoon, July 1, 2015, will be celebrated Thursday, July 9, at 10 a.m. at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Buffalo with Father Pete Johnson as celebrant. A vigil service will be held Wednesday, July 8, at 7 p.m. also from the Catholic church. Interment will be in Willow Grove Cemetery with the VFW and American Legion in charge of military graveside rites. 

Donations in Mr. Lanker's memory may be made to the Johnson County Library or the St. Francis Animal Shelter in care of the Harness Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com.

Michael Paul Lanker was born September 16, 1945, in Perrysburg, Ohio, to Paul and Mary Lanker. He lived initially in Perrysburg with his parents and his beloved horses.

Later, he moved to Defiance, Ohio, and graduated from Defiance High School with the class of 1963. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1963-66 and served as a corpsman. After his enlistment, he attended Defiance College, where he received his bachelor's degree in English in 1971. He was married on April 9, 1983, to Diane Boyd and they made their home in Defiance, Ohio.  

He celebrated the birth of his children, Meghan, in 1984, and Redmond, in 1987. He worked for the city of Defiance at the water treatment plant for over 25 years, and was a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). He retired from the city in 2001, and moved with his wife and son to Buffalo, Wyo.

In Buffalo, he enjoyed his retirement as an avid outdoorsman, joining the Buffalo Trap and Skeet club, fishing all over Wyoming, and hunting antelope in the Red Desert. He raised chickens and delighted in the company of his first grandson and his family.

Mr. Lanker was a member of the Knights of Columbus and attended St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Buffalo.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Lanker, of Buffalo; one son, Redmond Lanker, also of Buffalo; one daughter, Meghan Simons, and her husband, Andrew, of Reno, Nevada; and one grandson, Charles Michael Lanker. He was preceded in death by his parents.