1916
Harry
2007
Harry Lawless
May 15, 1916 — December 22, 2007
Harry Lawless, 91, of Eldora, died at his home from natural causes on Saturday, December 22, 2007 while under the care of Iowa Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Eldora with Father Paul Baldwin and Father Rick Dagit officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Eldora with military honors provided by Walter-Sayer Post 182 of the American Legion and Roll-Harless Post 3974 of the VFW. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora is in charge of the arrangements.
John Harry Lawless was born May 15, 1916, on his family's century farm near Eldora, son of John and Jennie (Sharpshair) Lawless. He was born, raised, and farmed on the farm on which he lived until this day. Harry graduated from Owasa High School in 1932 He was a WWII veteran serving with the U.S. Army from 1942 - 1945 in Africa, Italy and France as a Staff Sergeant in a medical detachment. On June 30, 1943 he was united in marriage to his bride of 64 years, Evelyn M. Oppold, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ackley. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Eldora where he held many offices and a member of Walter-Sayer Post 182 of the American Legion. At the age of 80 Harry received the State of Iowa Governor's Award for volunteer work. He also served as a director on the Hardin County Soil Conservation Commission.
Harry's primary loves were his God, family and many friends with whom he enjoyed spending time. One of his favorite pastimes was traveling and experiencing new places across this country that he was proud to say he helped defend. He considered stewardship of the land to be extremely important and his loving ability of growing things on that land went beyond his farm fields to his special touch with his garden and roses. His ever loving dog could always be found at his side as he worked his farm and took his daily walks down his country road in later years. He will always be remembered as a modest man who quietly went about serving with acts of kindness around his community without drawing attention to himself.
He is survived by his wife Evelyn; son, John D. Lawless of Eldora and his wife Mary; daughters, Mary Beth Richards of Monterey, California and Maureen Belzer of Omaha, Nebraska; and son Steve Lawless of Viroqua, Wisconsin; daughter-in-law, Bev Lawless of Loretto, Minnesota; sister, Agnes Mary Oppold of Eldora; and by 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Patrick Lawless; granddaughter, Lori Richards; and brother, Dale Lawless.
John Harry Lawless was born May 15, 1916, on his family's century farm near Eldora, son of John and Jennie (Sharpshair) Lawless. He was born, raised, and farmed on the farm on which he lived until this day. Harry graduated from Owasa High School in 1932 He was a WWII veteran serving with the U.S. Army from 1942 - 1945 in Africa, Italy and France as a Staff Sergeant in a medical detachment. On June 30, 1943 he was united in marriage to his bride of 64 years, Evelyn M. Oppold, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ackley. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Eldora where he held many offices and a member of Walter-Sayer Post 182 of the American Legion. At the age of 80 Harry received the State of Iowa Governor's Award for volunteer work. He also served as a director on the Hardin County Soil Conservation Commission.
Harry's primary loves were his God, family and many friends with whom he enjoyed spending time. One of his favorite pastimes was traveling and experiencing new places across this country that he was proud to say he helped defend. He considered stewardship of the land to be extremely important and his loving ability of growing things on that land went beyond his farm fields to his special touch with his garden and roses. His ever loving dog could always be found at his side as he worked his farm and took his daily walks down his country road in later years. He will always be remembered as a modest man who quietly went about serving with acts of kindness around his community without drawing attention to himself.
He is survived by his wife Evelyn; son, John D. Lawless of Eldora and his wife Mary; daughters, Mary Beth Richards of Monterey, California and Maureen Belzer of Omaha, Nebraska; and son Steve Lawless of Viroqua, Wisconsin; daughter-in-law, Bev Lawless of Loretto, Minnesota; sister, Agnes Mary Oppold of Eldora; and by 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Patrick Lawless; granddaughter, Lori Richards; and brother, Dale Lawless.
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