Wayne Eugene Lawson

Wayne E. Lawson, 91, of Massillon, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2025. Born in Dalton, Ohio, to the late Eugene and Barbara Lawson, Wayne graduated from Washington High School in 1952. He served 8 years in the Naval Reserve and retired from the Ohio Bell Telephone Company after 34 years as a line foreman. He was a member of Grace United Church of Christ in Massillon, Clinton Lodge 47 F&AM in Massillon for 65 years, Valley of Canton Scottish Rite, and Telephone Pioneers.

Wayne and his late wife, Marilyn, loved traveling the United States and Canada in their motor home, and camping and fishing with family. He liked working in his yard, feeding birds, squirrels and deer. He especially loved his cat, Buster.

Preceded in death by his parents and wife of 63 years, Marilyn Ann (Border) Lawson; Wayne is survived by his daughters, Diane (Charles) Matthews and Sharon (Wayne) Proudfoot; grandchildren Daniel (Erin), and Douglas (Jamie) Matthews, Kelli (Devin) Schafrath and Benjamin (Kara) Proudfoot; and great-grandchildren, Emery, Charles, Ellie, Lily and William Matthews, and Jenevieve and Gwyneth Schafrath.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Atkinson Feucht Hare Funeral Home in Massillon. Rev. Karen McEwen of Grace UCC will officiate, and burial will follow at Sunset Hills Burial Park. The family will receive condolences prior to the service, from 10:00 until 11:45 a.m. and a Masonic Ceremony will close the time of visitation at 11:45. The family extends sincere thanks to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital's Hospice for all the love and support received during the past week. Your memories and condolences are always welcome and may be added here to Wayne's on-line guestbook.