Beverly Elaine Lawton, 84, of Three Oaks, died peacefully Friday, January 22, 2021, in the comfort of her husband and children’s presence, in Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. She passed as a result of complications arising from a seizure and stroke.
Beverly was born May 29, 1936 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Herbert and Marjorie Schelb. She married George W. Lawton, Retired Local Pastor, on August 3, 1958 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They enjoyed may adventures in their sixty-three-year marriage.
Beverly graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1954 and attended Albion College. She worked at Shakespeare Company after leaving college.
Beverly was devoted to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to the institutions that represented him here on earth. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, most recently at Lakeside United Methodist Church where her husband George was pastor. She served as a leader and worked in many organizations. For many years she served as a Secretary of the Harbor Country Emergency Food Pantry Board and was a district and conference officer of United Methodist Women. She was a local and state officer of Church Women United where she enjoyed friendships with women from all walks of life.
Beverly was widely known for her smile and friendliness to all people. Some of her favorite relationships involved women with special needs. She loved to teach. One of her joyful memories was leading a preschool at St. Paul’s UMC in Lawton, Michigan. For many years, she volunteered at the Gathering Thrift Shop in Three Oaks.
She will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her beloved husband, George W. Lawton of Three Oaks; daughter, Kathleen (Bruce) Owen of Coloma; sons, Geoffrey (Joan) Lawton of Rockford, Gregory Lawton of Jackson, Gerald (Trina) Lawton of Flint; one son in law, Tim Haney of Holland; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren; sisters, Evelyn (Terry) Taylor of Denver, Colorado, Laurie (Ronald) Doering of Battle Ground, Washington; one brother, Kenneth (Linda) Schelb; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and one daughter, Marjorie Haney.
The family will observe a private remembrance at this time. Family and friends will gather for a celebration of life at a date and time, to be announced. Beverly will be laid to rest in Oak Grove Cemetery, in Lawton, Michigan.
The family prefers contributions in memory of Beverly be made to Harbor Country Emergency Food Pantry, Post Office Box 113, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128; Lakeside United Methodist Church, Post Office 402, Union Pier, Michigan 49129; or to the Jalingo Children’s Project, care of Reverend Greg Lawton, 525 South Alpine Lake Drive, Apt A., Jackson, Michigan 49203. The latter Charity pays the cost of educating twenty-seven orphans in Jalingo, Nigeria.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Three Oaks. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com. A public memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 29 (her birthday) at 1:00 pm at Lakeside UMC, 14970 Lakeside Rd., Lakeside MI 49116. Attendees will be requested to wear face coverings but "social distancing" protocols will not be observed and congregational singing will be used. Persons wishing to attend but not sit close to others will be able to find room in the fellowship room, where audio and video service will be available. A reception with light refreshments will follow the service. It will be held outdoors at the church.
Condolences may also be sent to:
George Lawton
8000 Warren Woods Rd. #79
Three Oaks, MI 49128
Last Updated on October 31, 2023