MARION LESTER LAWRENCE
Johnston City-Marion Lester "Red" Lawrence peacefully departed this life on Friday August 29, 2014 at the age of 97.

Lester was born August 19, 1917 in Johnston City the son of Alfred Redding Lawrence and Alice Horrell Lawrence. He was the youngest of 9 children.

In 1938 he served the Civilian Conservation Corp at Giant City Camp. He then went on to serve during WWII as an airplane mechanic in 233rd Army Air Forces. In 1943 he married the love of his life Viola Buckingham. When she passed away in 1993 they had shared 50 years of marriage and raised six children. He was a hard working carpenter by trade and a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, his wife, Viola; his eldest daughter, Donna Cullum; three sons-in-law, Keith Absher, Lloyd Fowler, and John Steh; two grandchildren, Amy Daughenbaugh and Joshua Downing; and earlier this year, his sweetheart, Lucille Horvath.

He is survived by his children, Edna Frost and husband Randy, Robert Lawrence and wife Donna, Elaine Steh and Keith Keller, Darlene Conner and Ron Weiss, and Janada Schaubert and husband Tom.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lisa Cullum, Ron (Bev) Cullum, Gary Cullum, Tricia (Steven) Woody, Tom Pate, Jennifer Wyatt, Shane (Erika) Fitzgerald, Meredith (Daryl) Thomas, Heather (Rodney) Johnson, Sarah Lawrence, Jacob Lawrence, Cory (Leslie) Tolka, Tracee (Chuck) Bleyer, Mendy (Nate) Downing, Matthew (Marcie) Absher, Travis Fowler, Keith Schaubert, Derek (Danielle) Schaubert; his great grandchildren, Lukas (Abigail) Cullum, Jackie (Jacob) Tucker, Alex Cullum, Kyle Cullum, Chelsea Cullum, Skylar Lovett, Zach Lovett, Sydney Woody, Gabriel Wyatt, Norah Wyatt, Chad Fitzgerald, Justin Grant, Jaret Murphy, Morgan Murphy, Jade Thomas, Rheagan Clutts, Kelsey Johnson, Alli Tolka, Darian Tolka, Maggee Bleyer, Anthony Bleyer, Katlynn Dodd, Amity Downing, Brynna Downing, Danielle Daughenbaugh, Austin Gray, Cole Absher, and great-great grandchildren, Addison Tucker, Teagan Cullum, and Karik Cullum

His big Smile and his even bigger heart will be sadly missed by all those who knew and loved him. He taught us all how to live by his example and we hope he finds Heaven "as fine as frog hair!"

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday September 5, 2014 at 1:00P.M. at the Murman & Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City with Rick Ditch officiating. Burial will be in the Boner Cemetery in West Frankfort with graveside military rites conducted by the Marion V.F.W. and American Legion. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to the ALS Association or to simply "pay it forward". Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.