John V. Lawton

Oct. 26, 1924 - Feb. 14, 2008
SOUTH BEND - John V. Lawton, 83, passed on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 9 a.m. at home. John was born on Oct. 26, 1924, in Niles, Michigan to the late Jasper Howard and Martha (Peterson) Lawton. He was the last surviving sibling of six: a sister, Ann McGuane and four brothers, James, Roy (Spar), Edward, and Louis. John's loss signals the end of an era.

John served in the Army Air Corps in World War II as a ball turret gunner on a B17. He was stationed in Peterboro, England and flew 32 missions over Germany.

On August 14, 1948, John married Marilyn Brenneman, who survives along with one daughter Dr. Patricia Ann Lawton of Madison, Wisconsin; two sons John Howard (Joan) Lawton of McHenry, Illinois, and Thomas Louis Lawton of Petersburg, Illinois; four grandchildren, Jennifer (John) Frey of McHenry, Illinois, Jeanine (Jason) VanAcker of Wonder Lake, Illinois, Jeffrey Lawton of Singapore, and Jason (Anika) of Grolsheim, Germany; and five great grandchildren.

John was a "paint man" all his working life, and retired from Niles Chemical Paint Company as Vice President of Sales in 1995. He worked at Studebaker for many years and his development of Skylark Blue was awarded Color of the Year in the late 1950s. John was also co-developer of powder paint, which is now an industry standard. He was a member of Corpus Christi Church, a lifetime member of the VFW, a member of the American Legion, and Bowlers Country Club. John attended Notre Dame and was a lifelong Notre Dame football fan.

He was a good man and loved life. John was our "miracle man" whose strong spirit kept him with us against all predictions. He was a good friend and his family meant the world to him. He often admonished us to "smell the roses" and was a firm believer and a model example for doing your "corporal works of mercy." John loved people, especially odd ones, and they loved him. He made us all laugh and the twinkle in his blue eyes would light up a room. John was beloved by many, and we will miss him all our days. The world will be far too sane a place without him.

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 17, in the HICKEY Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, with a Rosary at 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 18, at 10 a.m. in Corpus Christi Catholic Church, South Bend, with the Rev. Camillo Tirabassi officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care 111 Sunnybrook Court South Bend, IN 46637.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Feb. 16, 2008.

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com, and FindAGrave.com

10/13/2023 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24685135/john-victor-lawton