P. Carson Lantis, age 74, of Nappanee, Ind., died at 7:15 a.m., Thursday, March 14, 2013, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Wakarusa, Ind.

He was born Dec. 12, 1938, in Osceola, Ind., to Paul C. and Florence (Weldy) Lantis. He had lived his lifetime on the family farm.

On Aug. 6, 1961, he married Donna Stark.

Mr. Lantis was a lifelong member of Union Center Church of the Brethren, where he served as a deacon. He was a former church board chairman and Sunday school teacher. He worked for Elkhart Community Schools for 44 years. He started as a teacher for special needs students and became the Director of Special Education. He retired in 2004.

Mr. Lantis was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash for education and was an avid supporter of the 4-H program. He was a leader of the 4-H Lamb Club for 20 years, a member of the Elkhart County 4-H Fair Board for 31 years, and he served as president of the Elkhart County 4-H Fair in 1996.

Mr. Lantis was inducted into the 4-H State Fair Hall of Fame in 2003 and was the parade marshall for the 2009 Elkhart County 4-H Fair parade.

He lived on his grandparent’s farm and raised Suffolk sheep. His greatest passion was selling lambs for 4-H projects and being able to help the kids and give advice on raising them for the 4-H shows.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters: Judy Scheets, Wakarusa; and Jill (Rex) Holdeman, Nappanee, Ind.; three grandchildren: Andrea and Zachary Holdeman and Paul Scheets; and sisters: Esther Crabill, Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Martha (Bob) Kaylor, Decatur, Ind.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Family and friends may call from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, and for one hour prior to the funeral service which will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 19, at Union Center Church of the Brethren. Burial will be in Union Center Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Elkhart County 4-H Fair or Union Center Church of the Brethren Building Project.