John David Lawson

John David Lawson, 72, Lagro, died at 7:38 p.m., Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in North Manchester. He was born Jan. 13, 1949, at the Wabash County Hospital to J. Warner and Marvelean (Semans) Lawson.

John was a 1967 graduate of Northfield High School and attended Vincennes University. He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Era. He married Valerie Edwardson in Minot, North Dakota on Oct. 31, 1970. John retired from Consolidated Freightways, where he was a truck driver. He also drove truck for Pefley’s and G&S Metals. He was a member of the Lagro Community Church, the Lagro American Legion Post 248, and was a Lagro Volunteer Fireman for 28 years. John loved people and was a stranger to no one. He enjoyed collecting model trains and especially enjoyed his 1932 Chevy truck.

He is survived by his wife, Valerie Lawson of Lagro; three children, Rachel Lawson of Lagro; Rebecca (Bryan) Shafer of North Manchester; and James (Laura) Lawson of Wabash; four grandchildren, Breanna Burcroff of Warsaw; Bailey Burcroff, Jaxon Warner Lawson, and Faye Elizabeth Lawson, all of Wabash; three sisters: Suzan Hamilton of Lagro; Mary Ann Lawson of Lansing, Mich.; and Beth (Rick Stouffer) Gillespie of Lagro; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 26, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Pastor Richard Long officiating. Friends may call 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are Lagro Canal Foundation or the Lagro American Legion Post 248.