Paul Lawrence

MARION -- Paul L. Lawrence, 61, passed away at 3:50 p.m. Thursday, May 19, 2011, in St. Anthony's Medical Center of St. Louis.

He was born Saturday, May, 21, 1949, in Tunnel Hill, the son of Waldo Lee and Georgia Pauline (Choate) Lawrence.

He attended school in Johnson County and was a graduate of Vienna High School. He later attended John A. Logan College and received an associates degree in industrial engineering.

Paul answered the call of this nation by serving in the United States Army in Korea, and after his period of faithful service was honorably discharged March 4, 1971, with the rank of Specialist Five.

Shortly after his return from the military, he was united in marriage to Cindy L. Abbott on April 10, 1971, in Marion, and together they shared more than 35 years of marriage until her death Dec. 20, 2006.

He was a trained machinist, and early in his working career, he worked in road and pipeline construction. He later worked for several years for Old Ben 21 Mine until he began working for the United States Postal Service in Carbondale. He worked for 20 years with the postal service until his retirement in 2005. After his retirement he was CEO of Goldline USA Inc., until he retired in late 2009.

Paul was of Protestant faith and served as a missionary from 1976 to 1977, selling everything he had taking his entire family to serve the remote churches of Brazil.

He was a lifetime member of National Rifle Association. In his spare time, when he was younger, he enjoyed being in the outdoors fishing, hunting and hiking. He also loved to travel and once drove to the Arctic Circle in Alaska and back with his two boys. The many memories that have been created will always be treasured.

He is survived by his two sons, Joseph and Nathan Lawrence, both of Marion; brother and sister-in-law, David L. and Sharilyn Lawrence of Marion; two nephews, David and Bryan Lawrence, both of Marion, other extended family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife, Cindy.

Arrangements for Paul L. Lawrence have been entrusted to the Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., of Marion.

A time of visitation for family and friends will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at the funeral home.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 23, 2011, in Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, with the Rev. Kevin McNeely presiding. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. Military honors will be accorded by members of the VFW Heyde-Pillow Post No. 1301, American Legion Post No. 147 and the Illinois National Guard all of Marion.

For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to National Rifle Association. Memorial contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959.

To leave an online condolence or memory, visit www.wilsonmcreynolds.com.