Jeneka Lancaster

Jeneka Lynn Lancaster, 15, of Kennard, Indiana, passed away on April 10, 2023, following injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born on September 19, 2007, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jeneka was the beloved daughter of Jonathan “Luke” and Anisha Lancaster.

Jeneka spent her early childhood in Norwood, Ohio, before her family moved to Fishers, Indiana, in 2015 due to her father's work. In 2017, the family returned to Cincinnati, where Jeneka began the 5th grade at Brantner Elementary School and then attended West Clermont Middle School for 6th grade. In the summer of 2019, her family relocated to Kennard, Indiana, seeking a quieter, rural community. Jeneka enrolled at Knightstown Intermediate but was soon impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, spending the remainder of 7th grade and the start of 8th grade at home. Once in-person classes resumed, Jeneka began attending Tri Junior-Senior High School, where her mother taught. It was here that Jeneka truly thrived, growing into the person she was becoming before her untimely passing.

A sophomore at Tri Junior-Senior High School, Jeneka was deeply involved in school activities. She had been a cheerleader since the age of 3 and was a second-year varsity cheerleader at the time of her passing. Jeneka also had a passion for learning American sign language, competing in archery, she ran varsity track, and served as the team manager during the time of an recovery from an injury. A dedicated student, she was inducted into the National Honor Society and served as Treasurer of the Student Council. Planning for themed days and dances were a note able favorite of hers. She was also a member of FFA (Future Farmers of America), with the hope to be voted in as an officer. Jeneka had bigger dreams of owning a farm one day that would include all of the animals and plants she could sustain. Born a city girl, Jeneka's heart lied living in the country embracing the open fields, and chasing sunsets/sunrises. Jeneka had a passion for helping others, with aspirations of studying Kinesiology or within the Emergency Medical profession. She had recently been accepted into the New Castle Career Center for the building trades program.

Jeneka cherished the simple joys in life—crafting with her mom, fishing, shooting guns, watching sunrises/sunsets, and enjoying sweet tea, sour candy, gummies, all things chicken and bagel dip. Jeneka was always on the move in some way or fashion. She had several nicknames, like Sisaroo, Janequa, Piddle, Jen, Jena-kwa or just squirrel.

Her radiant spirit and ambitions touched everyone around her, and her legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

In honor of her memory and to continue her legacy a Jeneka Lancaster Scholarship was created through the Henry County Community Foundation. Details about the scholarship can be found here: https://www.henrycountycf.org/jeneka-lynn-lancaster/

Help us turn heartbreak into change. Sign the petition for Jeneka’s Law to hold underage drivers accountable in fatal crashes: https://chng.it/V2RnyMHzhp