Lawrence E. LaValley

LaVALLEY Lawrence E. LaValley, 98, passed away February 13, 2011 at Advanced Specialty Hospital in Toledo. Lawrence was born July 8, 1912 in Columbus, Ohio to Eugene James and Marie (Garner) LaValley. He graduated from North High School in 1930 and graduated from Bliss Business School. Lawrence married Evelyn G. Rhoades on June 19, 1942 in Columbus, Ohio and she survives. Lawrence was a musician and a sales manager for ACME Fast Freight and Swell Motor Freight Company retiring in 1992, at the age of 79. He was a member of Hilliard United Methodist Church, a mason for the Grand Lodge of F&AM of Ohio and the Avery Lodge No. 0493 in Hilliard, Ohio. Lawrence was a life member of the Columbus Federation of Musicians. Lawrence was a professional musician whose career in music spanned 86 years. He played saxophone, clarinet and violin. He played in a variety of big bands from 1921-2006. He was a member of the Hilliard Community Band, the Greater Columbus Concert Band and the Village Concert Band in Lady Lake, Florida. He played saxophone and clarinet in The Chuck Selby Band, The Billy Bishop Band, The Bob Rocky Band, The Bob Chaney Band and many more to numerous to mention. Along with his wife Evelyn, Lawrence is survived by his daughters, Alanna C. (Gary) Taylor of Sterling Heights, Michigan, Dawn E. (Kenneth) Wetmore of Perrysburg, Ohio and Lorna S. (Alan) LaValley-Hines of Van Nuys, California; grandsons, David H. (Deniz) Wetmore of Washington, D.C. and William K. Wetmore of Washington, D.C. Services are private. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to WITZLER-SHANK FUNERAL HOME, Perrysburg, 419-874-3133. Condolences may be made online to the family at www.witzlershank.com.