John Lawrence
Cottage Hills |
John Fitzgerald Lawrence, 50, of Cottage Hills passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at his home with his family by his side, after a long struggle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born on November 29, 1963 in Staunton, IL. He was the firstborn child of Delbert and Gerri (Hamlin) Lawrence. He lived a short fifty years. He was a good son, who had many friends and his best buddy, his dear dog, J.D.
John attended the Bethalto School District. In later years he lived in Georgia and Florida where he was a diesel mechanic. He enjoyed playing golf and was an avid Nascar fan. He looked forward to Sunday, every Nascar season, so he could root for his two favorite drivers, #3 Dale Earnhart Sr. and #88 Dale Earnhart Jr. He was devastated when Dale Sr. lost his life on the last lap at Daytona.
He is survived by his mom and dad of Bethalto; three brothers and one sister and their spouses, Calvin (Lynette) Lawrence and Matthew (Faith) Lawrence all of Bethalto, Herman Lawrence and his companion, Daphne Watkins of Carlyle, IL and his sister, Melissa (Willie) Stortz of Summerfield, IL; many aunts and uncles, including Janice Hileman of Worden, Kenny and Janice (Hamlin) Jones of Staunton, Myra (Hamlin) Simmons of Vine Grove, KY and his wonderful loving aunt Juanita (Donnie) Barnes of Worden, who helped him so very much and was with him constantly through his sad, terrible time. The family can never thank her enough. God bless you Juani. Special thanks to Dr. Thomas Ryan and his staff and also to BJC Hospice, especially Nurse Mary.
He was preceded in death by a nephew, David Lawrence.
Visitation will be from 11 until services at 1 pm on Monday, January 27, 2014 at Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto.
Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.
Memorials may be made to the Funeral Home for Funeral Expenses.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
