Gary Dale Lawellin

Funeral services for Gary Dale Lawellin, 88, Lawrence, will be held at 5:00 p.m., January 22, 2024 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, Eudora Kansas. Inurnment will be at a later date at HesperCemetery, Eudora, KS.  Gary passed away on January 8, 2024 at his home. He was surrounded by his family and passed peacefully.

Gary was born on February 22, 1935 in Oswego, KS the son of Clifton and Georgie (Hall) Lawellin. Gary married Shirley Rose Baecker on February 14, 1952 in Olathe, KS.  She preceded him in death on June 12, 2011.

For most of his life, Gary worked as a machine maintenance operator for DuPont from 1958 until retirement in 1996. He had many interests over his life time.  Gary played basketball and football in high school and continued to play basketball after graduation.  He was competitive in nature and was quite good at pool, cards and other recreational activities. Gary loved to bowl and for many years was very active in both league play and facilitating youth leagues.  Gary and Shirley enjoyed traveling, collecting rocks, gems and exploring genealogy together.  They also were lifelong KU sports fanatics and rarely missed a basketball or football game.  Gary was a member of Mo-Kan Hot Wheelers Collective Club and has an entire room in his home dedicated to his collection. But most of all, Gary was a dedicated family man.  He would do anything for his family and loved them all unconditionally.

Survivors include his four daughters, Debra Bost, and husband, Floyd, Lawrence, Janet Lawellin-Erwin, and husband, Joe, Eudora, Joyce Shontz and spouse, Danita, Lawrence, Laura McGaw, and husband, Sean, Lawrence; two sisters, Doneta Lawellin, Sarah Zoellner; eight grandchildren, Megan Bland, Cody Bost, Krystal Gonzalez, David Erwin, Lydia Shontz-Hochstedler, Jessica Long, Robert Long and Kristen McGaw; thirteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren with one on the way.

The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service (4:00 – 5:00pm) at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary Eudora Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made in Gary’s name to the Douglas County VNA and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13 ^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.