Johnny Lemual Lawrence (1932-2018)

Johnny Lemual Lawrence passed away on Monday, July 9, 2018, at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kan. at the age of 86.  
He was born April 19, 1932 in Ellsworth, Kan. to the late John and Mary (Batthauer) Lawrence. Eighteen months later, after his mother died in childbirth, he and his older brother George went to live with their Grandfather and Grandmother Batthauer on the family farm near Dorrance, Kan., as per their mother’s wishes. Together they grew up in the Dorrance area and Johnny graduated from Dorrance High School with the Class of 1951. In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Korean conflict. On April 2, 1955 he was united in marriage to Lillian Bricker in Lucas, Kan.
After being honorably discharged, Johnny soon went to work for the Russell County Highway Department where he eventually became a Bridge Forman before retiring after more than 30 years of service. He also worked raising wheat crops and cattle ranching.  To say that he and Lillian were avid Bingo fans would be an understatement. Together they travelled the local Bingo circuits wherever the game would take them and never failed to have a great time with friends, win or lose. Of course winning and crying out “Bingo” were always the preferred outcome of any event.  
Johnny was a member of the American Legion Post 334 of Dorrance.
Johnny is survived by his sons Don Lawrence and wife Judy of Omaha, Neb., and Ronald Lawrence of Dorrance; daughter Virginia “Ginny” Hubka and husband Ron of Wilson; grandchildren Melissa and Andrew Tayles, Kevin Lawrence, Robert Lawrence, Kyle and Ashley Lawrence, Theresa Lawrence, Jeremy and Amber Hubka, Darcy and Dustin Vopat, and Toby and Richelle Hubka; and great-grandchildren Elise, Libby, Landon, Bailey, Liam, Sydney, and one-on-the-way.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Lawrence, wife Lillian Lawrence, infant son John Lawrence, Jr., son Alvin Lawrence, infant sister Mary Lawrence, and brother George Lawrence.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, at the funeral home in Wilson. The family will receive friends during that time.  
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 18, at First Lutheran Church in Dorrance.  Inurnment will follow in the Dorrance City Cemetery.  
Memorials are suggested to the First Lutheran Church or American Legion Post 334 and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO Box 533, Wilson, Kan. 67490.  
Online condolences may be left at www.plumeroverlease.com