Lawrence Hardacre

World War II Veteran, Lawrence B. Hardacre was 92 when he went home to be with our Lord on January 11, 2015 at his home in Collinsville, OK. He served our country in the 3rd Army Tank Division in the battle of Normandy in 1944. He was a life time member of DAV Chapter 21 and VFW Chapter 3494 in Mansfield, OH.

He was born July 22, 1922 in Detroit, MI, son of Ora and Louise Hardacre. He was preceded by death by his parents, two brothers and four sisters.

He met his Sweetheart, Coretta Sprunger, in Detroit, MI while working in an aircraft manufacturing plant, building planes for World War II. He was her supervisor. They were married August 28, 1943.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Coretta Hardacre of the home in Collinsville. Three children, sons Lawrence and Marilyn Hardacre of Collinsville, John and Linda Hardacre of Tulsa, and a daughter, Loretta and husband Steve Lewis of Collinsville.

8 Grandchildren: Jeremy and Lori Hardacre of Tulsa, OK, Patty and Brian Smith of Dover, AR, Kathy Hardacre of Orlando, FL, and Brian and Stacie Lewis of Collinsville, OK. Jeff and Kerri Fitts, Dana and George Roberts, and Robin Bell all from Collinsville, and Brandi and Bryan Taylor of Talala, OK.

27 Great Grandchildren and 6 Great-Great Grandchildren.

After the war, he made his home on Millsboro Rd in Mansfield, OH for over 64 years. He retired from White Westinghouse after 30 years and also was a school bus driver for the Ontario Ohio School System for over 28 years.

Lawrence was a very community minded individual. He was involved in the Ontario Cub Scouts for many years. He served as a Den Dad, Club Master and Commissioner. He received the Boy Scout’s Outstanding Service Award in 1957. He was a profound influence on the character development for many young men.

He also served as a Volunteer Fireman for over 35 years for the community of Ontario. He loved working in his Community, talking with his CB friends and going to garage sales.

Many in the community may know him as the weather man that lived on Millsboro Road. Otto Sprunger, his father-in-law, provided records for the US Weather Department and Ohio for 35 Years. Upon his death in 1962, Lawrence took over the records and continued to provide the reports until 1995.

Lawrence was a dedicated father, and provided well for his family. He will truly be missed by his loving family and his Ohio community.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington Springmill Road, Ontario. Family and friends are invited to visit for one hour prior to the service, from 1-2 p.m. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park.