Harry A. Lawton

Harry A. Lawton August 15, 1921 - January 27, 2009 Harry A. Lawton, 87, of State College, died on Jan. 27, 2009, at The Hearthside. He was born in Olar, S.C. on Aug. 15, 1921 to Asberry and Georgia Nimmons Lawton. He graduated from Western Kentucky University and served in the Army during World War II and was awarded the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one Silver Battle Star, the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal World War II and three Overseas Service Bars. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He retired in 1989 from Polk Brothers, a large appliance business, where he was Vice President in charge of 22 stores in the Chicago, Ill. area for many years. Harry lived all of his life in Chicago until 1989, when he moved to Beverly Hills, Fla. He was married to the former Cleo Smith, who predeceased him on June 19, 1990. Also predeceasing him were two sisters, Emma and Marilee. On July 8, 1994, he married Eleanor McMannes, of State College, who survives along with a daughter, Emily McMannes Posatko and her husband, Robert, of Harrisburg; and a godson, Rodney Sims, his wife, Barbara, and their son, Jordan, of Chicago, Ill. Also surviving are three nieces and two grandnephews. Harry was an avid traveler and he and his first wife traveled extensively on cruises. Harry and Eleanor took many trips to Europe until he became ill with Alzheimer's Disease. Harry enjoyed listening to jazz and had met and spent time with many of the great musicians and singers of his era. He was a member and one-time Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church in Chicago. Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Koch Funeral Home, with the funeral service immediately following at 3:30 p.m., with the Rev. Kenneth Litwiller, spiritual care coordinator with ASERACARE Hospice, officiating. Burial will be in the Florida National Veterans Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla., at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Hearthside Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility, Alzheimer Unit, 450 Waupelani Dr., State College, PA 16801.