Submitted by: Dan Rich
John V. Lawton
Oct. 26, 1924 - Feb. 14, 2008
South Bend Tribune 2/16/2008
SOUTH BEND - John V. Lawton, 83,
passed on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 9 a.m. at home. John was
born on Oct. 26, 1924, in Niles, Michigan to the late Jasper
Howard and Martha (Peterson) Lawton. He was the last
surviving sibling of six: a sister, Ann McGuane and four
brothers, James, Roy (Spar), Edward, and Louis. John's loss
signals the end of an era. John served in the Army Air Corps in
World War II as a ball turret gunner on a B17. He was stationed
in Peterboro, England and flew 32 missions over Germany.
On August 14, 1948, John married Marilyn Brenneman,
who survives along with one daughter Dr. Patricia Ann Lawton of
Madison, Wisconsin; two sons John Howard (Joan) Lawton of
McHenry, Illinois, and Thomas Louis Lawton of Petersburg,
Illinois; four grandchildren, Jennifer (John) Frey of
McHenry, Illinois, Jeanine (Jason) VanAcker of Wonder
Lake, Illinois, Jeffrey Lawton of Singapore, and Jason (Anika) of
Grolsheim, Germany; and five great grandchildren.
John was a "paint man" all his
working life, and retired from Niles Chemical Paint Company as
Vice President of Sales in 1995. He worked at Studebaker for many
years and his development of Skylark Blue was awarded Color of
the Year in the late 1950s. John was also co-developer of powder
paint, which is now an industry standard. He was a member of
Corpus Christi Church, a lifetime member of the VFW, a member of
the American Legion, and Bowlers Country Club. John attended
Notre Dame and was a lifelong Notre Dame football fan. He was a
good man and loved life. John was our "miracle man"
whose strong spirit kept him with us against all predictions. He
was a good friend and his family meant the world to him. He often
admonished us to "smell the roses" and was a firm
believer and a model example for doing your "corporal works
of mercy." John loved people, especially odd ones, and they
loved him. He made us all laugh and the twinkle in his blue eyes
would light up a room. John was beloved by many, and we will miss
him all our days. The world will be far too sane a place without
him.
Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday,
February 17, in the HICKEY Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road,
South Bend, with a Rosary at 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will
be held on Monday, February 18, at 10 a.m. in Corpus Christi
Catholic Church, South Bend, with the Rev. Camillo Tirabassi
officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery. Memorial
contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and
Palliative Care 111 Sunnybrook Court South Bend, IN 46637.