Donald Burton Lawrence

Our loving father, Donald B. Lawrence went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his dear wife Myrle and infant daughter Nancy Anne on Monday July 30, 2018.  Don was 95 years old.  Don, formally of Battle Creek, MI, moved to Temperance, MI ten months ago and passed away peacefully in the presence of family while admitted in a nursing facility near home.   

Dad was born in Sarnia, Ontario, to George and Emily (Hagel) on March 12, 1923.  He had three brothers that preceded him in death; Roy (Mildred), Argyle (Wilma), and Alvin (Helen) as well as a sister Mary Troxel (Pearl).  Together George and Emily raised all their children to love the Lord and serve others.

Dad was a U.S.  Army veteran of WW II where he served in Europe from 1943 to 1946.  After being honorably discharged, he found his sweetheart Myrle at Spring Arbor Junior College and was married in 1949.  After nearly 60 years of marriage Myrle preceded him in death in 2009.

We are the proud children of Don and Myrle.  Al (Diana), Burt (Deb) and Lorraine.  Dad and Mom were the grandparents of six grandchildren; Nicole (Chris) Smith, Andrew (Jena) Lawrence, Stacey (Billy) Griner; Brandon (Hannah) Lawrence, Anthony Lawrence; and Seth Lawrence. Dad had the joy of seeing twelve great-grandchildren enter the world prior to his passing; and was preceded in death by one great-grandson.  After Mom’s passing and relocating to Battle Creek, MI from Leesburg, FL, Dad met a good friend, Rema Whitaker and together they enjoyed each other’s friendship over the last 8 years.

Dad loved music and led countless church and youth choirs and participated in several gospel quartets.  Dad loved the churches he attended over the years and was deeply involved in each one.  Over the years one of Dad’s passions after retirement was driving tour buses and over all the miles, he met all sorts of different people in all sorts of different venues.

As Dad’s children, we want to publicly thank him for being strong in the faith and a leader of the family.  He has been a model to all three of us.  Though perhaps not always perfect, Dad taught all three of us to freely forgive, love unconditionally, be men and women of our word and serve others faithfully.  Thanks Dad, we love you and miss you.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Dad’s life Saturday, September 29th, 2018, 11:00am at  Reeb Funeral Home, Sylvania, OH.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Maple United Methodist Church in Battle Creek, MI . (342 Capital Ave. NE., 49017)

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Burton Lawrence, please visit our floral store.