Merle E. Lawrence's Obituary
Merle E. Lawrence, 85, of Clinton, passed away Thursday, March 29, 2018 at the Alverno.
Services will be 1:00pm, Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory. Military honors will be conducted by the Clinton AMVETS. Visitation will be from 11:00am to the service time Tuesday at the funeral home.
Merle Edgar Lawrence was born on February 7, 1933 in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of Charles and Alta (Gosney) Lawrence. He was a 1951 graduate of Ottumwa High School. He served in the United States Air Force as an automotive repairman from April 1953 to June 1955. He received the Korean Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Merle was married to Carolyn McNeal for several years and later divorced. They had three children: Merle (Kay) Lawrence, John (Ron) Lawrence and Cheryl (Michael) Harmon. He later married Durleen Johnson and they were married for several years. She passed away February 28, 2009.
Merle worked for Champion Packaging for 25 years retiring in 1983. He was a member of the Love Baptist Church in Phoenix for 30 plus years. He enjoyed missionary work, doing most of his work in Mexico. He was a gentle giant who loved food, and he enjoyed collecting Texaco metal cars and planes.
Merle is survived by his children: Merle (Kay) Lawrence, John (Ron) Lawrence and Cheryl (Michael) Harmon all of Clinton; grandchildren: Merle Lawrence, Jr., Zachary (Jenni) Lawrence, Evan Harmon, and Paige (Benjamin) Wilbur; great-grandchidlren: Hunter Lawrence, Brycen Lawrence, Kyler Lawrence, Tormund Lawrence, and Avia Wilbur; and his sister: Irene. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife: Durleen, and sisters: Valetta, and Patricia.
Memorials can be made to the family.
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