Richard T. Lawless

Richard T. Lawless, 81, Kokomo, passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2011, at St. Joseph Hospital. He was born September 1, 1929, in Chatsworth, Illinois, to James W. and Alma (Fulton) Lawless and was a descendent of Arch Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. He married Helen Ridenour, and they were married for 37 years before her death on April 17, 2009.

He attended Illinois State Normal University and studied agriculture. He served in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954. He farmed in Strawn, Illinois from 1954 to 1969 and then moved to Kokomo, Indiana where he worked at Chrysler until his retirement in 1994. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion 244, UAW Local 1166, and St. Patrick Catholic Church.

He is survived by six sons, Michael T. Lawless, Stephan R. Lawless, James W. Lawless, Van P. Lawless, Jeffrey J. (Linda) Lawless, and Daniel P. (Marie) Lawless; two daughters, Donna C. (Richard) Davis, and Renie K. (Scott) Gunning; 24 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jerry Lawless, John Lawless, and Dan Lawless; and five sisters, Mary Wurmnest, Vera Hubley, Theresa Kerber Roland, Alma Lemme, and Sister Rea Katherine Wurmnest.

In addition to his wife, Helen Lawless, he was preceded in death by his parents, two step-sons, one great-granddaughter, three brothers, and his first wife, Jackie Lawless.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Rev. Father Theodore Dudzinski officiating. Burial will follow with military honors in Kokomo Memorial Park Cemetery. Visiting hours will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, with a rosary service at 8:30, and from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Online messages of condolence may be made at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.