Paul A. Lawrence

Rockford - Paul A. Lawrence, 88, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2011, at Rosewood Care Center, with his wife, Linda, by his side. He was born on October 9, 1922, in Ferryville, WI, the son of Byron and Mandy (Burkum) Lawrence.nbsp; He graduated from high school in Lansing, Iowa, and married Betty A. Lincicum, on March 22, 1942.nbsp; He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 and served four years during WWII. He was stationed in San Diego, CA, and spent over two years in Okinawa, Japan, where he cooked for the troops on the front lines.nbsp; After the war, he came home and he and his family settled in South Wayne, WI, where he became the owner and operator of the Clover Farm Food Market and locker plant for over 17 years.nbsp; In 1962, he became a salesman for the Milwaukee Cheese Company in Madison, which brought him to Rockford in 1965.nbsp; A few years later, he worked as a salesman for the company now known as Unisource until his retirement in 1998.nbsp;

Paul married Linda Hill on December 12, 1987 at the Church by the Side of the Road in Rockton, IL.nbsp; They enjoyed their life together, especially their trips to Door County.nbsp; Paul loved singing, dancing, hunting, gardening, cooking, running, golf, fishing, and tennis.nbsp; He loved music and was an avid reader and enjoyed his collection of cookbooks. He could sit and read the recipes for hours like reading a novel.nbsp; Paul was a Mason and Shriner and a member of Court Street Methodist Church for many years.nbsp; He had a wonderful sense of humor, and was an awesome husband and father and always there for his family.nbsp; Paul was a gentle, kind, generous and loving person who will be missed by all whose lives he touched.

Paul is survived by his loving wife, Linda, of Rockford; children, Jacqueline (Tom) Freund of Lake Mills, WI, Roxy (Dennis) Koch of Lodi, WI, Sandy (Earl) Kufahl of Green Bay, WI, Julie (Carl) Bufalo of Rockford, IL, Bill (Sher) Lawrence of Chetek, WI, and Kelly (Chris) Curran of McDonough, GA; 17 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren; brother, Gary (Helen) Lawrence of Westminster, CO,nbsp;sisters, Georgia Copsey of Aurora, CO, Joyce Kleven of Eastman, WI, and Peg Ketterer of Peoria, IL; numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends, and his beloved K9 companions, Barney and Boo.nbsp; He was preceded in death by his son, Jeff, and his first wife, Betty.nbsp; The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rosewood Care Center and Heartland Hospice for their wonderful care and support.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2011, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PMnbsp; at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, with the memorial service following at 3:00 PM, with Pastor Keith Kelsey-Powell of Court Street Methodist Church officiating.nbsp;nbsp; In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.nbsp; Extend online condolences at:nbsp; www.fitzgeraldfh.com