O.F.M. Br. WILLIAM G. LANNING

O.F.M. Br. WILLIAM G. LANNING ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by McGorray-Hanna Funeral Homes of Lakewood on Mar. 9, 2026.Brother William G. Lanning, O.F.M. passed away suddenly but peacefully on March 5, 2026 at his home in Chicago, Illinois.Billy grew up in West Park, the fourth of ten children. After high school, Bill entered the seminary of the Franciscan Friars, the religious order which served his home parish of Our Lady of Angels in West Park, where the Lanning family lived for over 45 years.He spent over 50 years as a religious brother, serving parishes in Chicago, Omaha, Nebraska, Quincy, IL, and Erie, Pennsylvania. The majority of his religious service was spent in the city of Chicago, where he worked for many years serving at St. Peter's Church in the Loop. Bill also took care of the sick and dying at the AIDS/HIV hospice run by the Archdiocese of Chicago. He lived in the heart of downtown Chicago, and enjoyed the parks, restaurants, collegiate and professional sports teams, and walking all over the city. He always loved playing tour guide to family visiting Chicago.Bill was a humble and faithful servant of God, and spent his life in service of others. He will be celebrated by his family, the Franciscans with whom he shared his life of service, and his friends at services in Chicago. A private family celebration will take place in Cleveland at a later date.Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Agnes Lanning. He is survived by his siblings Cathy Knittel (Greg, deceased), Tom (Mary Lou), Fr. Michael Lanning, Bob (Colleen), Jim (Sandy), Mary Ellen Rogers (Warren), Martha, Jerry (Jill), and Rosemary Schafer (Mike). He was the beloved Uncle of Matthew Knittel (Erin), Mary Cory (Mike), Peter Knittel, Melissa Patrizi, Marty Lanning (Cathy), Caitlin Calabria (Dave), Grace Lanning (Jon), Edward Lanning, Nora Mango (Chris), Helen Goldberg (Sam), Clare Hoban (Tanner), Samantha Selio (John), Lindsey Watson (Clay), Madeline Lanning (Jess), Emily Herman (Alex), Tim Schafer, Owen Schafer, and great uncle to 22. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and fellow Friars.