John Jacob Lawrence, 79 of Taylorville, passed away at 3:40 p.m., Monday, May 30 at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. He was born November 25, 1936 in LaPorte, Indiana, the son of J. Marshall and Bertha Armentrout Lawrence. John married his high school sweetheart: Joan L. Hannemann on January 24, 1959 in LaPorte, Indiana. He graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and earned his CPA. He was a veteran of the Air Force and retired as a 1st Lieutenant. He was a member of the Fairview United Methodist Church. John was very active in his community including: Kiwanis, Christian County Economic Development Corporation, Taylorville Development Association, and served as an Alderman for the city of Taylorville. He was an avid fan of Indiana University basketball and was a season ticket holder for many years and was a member of the IU Alumni Association. John was a “statistical guru” and loved numbers and keeping detailed records of all he was involved with. He worked as a CPA for many years with the firm of Murphey, Jenne, & Jones and later ran his own CPA practice. He also had worked as a trust officer for First Trust Bank in Taylorville. He loved the outdoors, working in his yard, and growing many trees. John had many dogs over the years including 2 collies that survive him: Duke and A.J. John had a passion for helping others with his knowledge of tax and accounting work. He held a very strong belief in the importance of education.
John is survived by his wife: Joan Lawrence of Taylorville; children: Rudy Marshall Lawrence (Tonya) of Lansing, Michigan, John Carlisle Lawrence (Angie) of Farmer City, Illinois, Bette Lu Chesser (Tom) of Sherman, Illinois, and Jack Andrew Lawrence (Joan) of Noblesville, Indiana; grandchildren: Chad Lawrence, Jon Lawrence, Andrew Lawrence (Kate), Amanda McQuaid (Jacob), Emily Chesser, Jacob Lawrence, Jillian Lawrence, Josie Lawrence, Jaclyn Lawrence, Jocelyn Toupin (Tony), and Jonelle McGinn (Trevor); 7 great-grandchildren; brother: Gene Lawrence (Bev) of California; sister: Carol Burklow of Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and a brother.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 3, 2016 at Fairview United Methodist Church with Rev. Ric Miles officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 until 7p.m. on Thursday at McClure Funeral Home in Taylorville. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Care-A-Lot, a camp for children with disabilities, PO Box 9407, Springfield, IL 62791 or the Christian County YMCA, 900 McAdam Dr. Taylorville, IL.
McClure Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements. Memories of John or condolences to his family may be sent online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
