Adrian F. Lanser, Jr. May 24, 1927-August 7, 2005
Adrian F. Lanser, Jr. 78, of Unionville Borough, died Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. Adrian was the son of Adrian and Regina Lanser, of Delaware County, Philadelphia. Adrian was the oldest of two sons and was preceded in death by his younger brother, William Dewees Lanser. Adrian shipped with the Merchant Marines from the Summer of 1945 until he joined the army of occupation in Japan in April 1946-September 1947. While in Japan he served as a member of the honor guard at the Emperor's Palace. Adrian attended St. Joseph's Preparatory School and was a graduate of Drexel University, in 1959. In 1952, he met and married Frances O'Neal Dale, daughter of Helen and Arthur Dale of Bellefonte. Adrian and Frances resided in Philadelphia from 1952 until 1960. From 1960 to 1962 they lived in Erie, PA and returned to Centre County in 1962 where they have resided to the present time. Adrian was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a lifetime member of the Undine Fire Co., and a member of the Bellefonte chapter of the Knights of Columbus. In addition to being the sole proprietor of his own business, Adlanco Enterprises, Adrian was news and sports broadcaster for WBLF, Bellefonte, where he also wrote, produced and performed all voices in a rendition of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." While at Drexel, Adrian began a life long love of theatrical performance. He began his impromptu amateur career as the lead character, Gregory Anton, in the 1944 suspense thriller 'Angel Street' at Trevose Summer Theatre in Philadelphia. When he came to Centre County he joined Boal Barn Summer Theatre Productions and was a long time member of the board of directors. He amused and tugged at the hearts of a whole generation of summer theatre goers in Centre County with his supporting character roles as Matthew Skipps in 'A Lady's Not for Burning,' as Jonathan Brewster in 'Arsenic and Old Lace,' as La Hire in 'The Lark,' and Old Henry in the 'The Fantasticks!' During the late 1960's and early 1970's, in Bellefonte, Penns Valley and Sugar Valley, Adrian co-produced and directed Haverly's Minstrel Shows with Josef Smiley. In 1970, Adrian and Frances moved from Bellefonte to Unionville Borough where they finished raising their three children, Adrian Francis III, Frances Dale, and Mary Elizabeth. Adrian is survived by his wife Frances, his children, six grandchildren, Jennifer Elaine, Francis Barrett, Charles Adrian, Benjamin Christian, Mary Katherine Elizabeth, Clarissa Ann and four great grand children. Funeral arrangements are being made through the Kyper Funeral Home. The family will welcome guests at the Kyper Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 10 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. There will be a funeral service and rosary between 7:00 and 8:00 o'clock. Burial at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Cemetery will immediately follow a funeral mass, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Bellefonte, on Thursday, August 11 at 11:00 a.m.