Dr. Irwin Lanning, 92

Dr. Irwin Lanning, age 92, of Greensburg, passed away on May 16, 2016. Dr. Lanning was born on a small farm east of Brookville, Indiana on July 25, 1923, in the home of his parents, George C. and Stella (Loewe) Lanning.
He attended a one room country school, having the same teacher for 8 years. He graduated from Brookville High School in 1941 and joined the Navy in 1942 where he spent three and a half years flying as an aviation radio man, radar operator, and gunner on a dive bomber. He served two tours of duty in the South Pacific, one land based and the other aboard the air craft carrier, the U.S.S. Hornet. He was discharged in 1946, married Dorothy Curran and started to college. He spent two and a half years at Miami U. at Oxford, Ohio and five years at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine where he graduated in 1953. Upon graduation he moved to Decatur County and started his veterinary practice in Clarksburg. After three years there, he moved to the present site of the Greensburg Veterinary Clinic. He humbly worked long hours, only recently telling of the many nights he would come home from getting called out and it was “too early to get up and too late to go to bed” so he’d work on paperwork for the practice till time to go to work again. He retired Dec. 31, 1990.
He was a member of Springhill Presbyterian Church 60 years, serving as an elder several years.
During his 38 years in practice, he served on the Decatur County Board of Health, the Greensburg Community School Board (was president of the board when the present High School was built and dedicated), served 8 years on the Indiana Board of Animal Health, (where he was Chairman 5 years.) and served on both the Union Bank and Main Source Boards of Directors for a total of 18 years. He was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash in 1985 by Gov. Robert Orr.
He enjoyed sports, especially watching baseball, basketball and football, and playing golf in his retirement years. Visiting with his family and friends was always a high priority for him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife “Dot” of 52 years and one brother, (Howard). He is survived by one brother, Kenneth (Marilyn) of Brookville, a son, Dr. George (Debra) of Avon, one daughter Brenda Wallace, a son James (Debbie) of Greensburg, and a son Wayne (Karen) of Batesville. In addition he is survived by 9 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and longtime friend and companion, Louise Roach, of Hamilton, Ohio.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at the Gilliland-Howe Funeral Home on Sunday, May 22, 2016 from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be on Monday, May 23, 2016 at 11:00 am. Rev. Shannon Burford will be officiating. Burial will follow at the Kingston Cemetery. Memorials may be given to either the c/o The Decatur County Community Foundation, Inc. 101 East Main Street Suite 1, Greensburg, Indiana 47240, The Dr. Irwin and Dorothy Lanning Memorial Scholarship Fund or the Dr. Irwin and Dorothy Lanning Memorial General Fund; Springhill Presbyterian Church, 3954 E. County Road 640 N. Greensburg, Indiana 47240. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com