Gerald "Jerry" Ray Lawrence

Gerald “Jerry” Ray Lawrence, 72, of O’Fallon, passed away in his home, March 15, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was born October 31, 1950 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Rudie Maurice and Doris Mae (Brown) Lawrence. Jerry was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He married Joyce Barnes and they spent 51 loving years together. Jerry spent his career as a mechanic for Greyhound Bus Co, retiring in 2018 after 47 dedicated years. He was a life member of the O’Fallon Sports Club. He was also a member of the O’Fallon Boosters and the International Association of Machinists District 9 Local 777. Jerry enjoyed being a Boy Scout Leader for troop 35 and coaching little league for O’Fallon and Fairview Heights. In his spare time, Jerry had a passion for fishing and hunting. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Joyce J. Lawrence; son, Steven (Blynda) Lawrence; daughter, Jennifer (Aaron) Schultz; grandchildren, Evan and Ellie Lawrence and Madison Burkett; sister-in-law, Dana (Russ Chavez) Bargiel; brother-in-law, James (Genevieve) Barnes; niece and nephews, Christine (Justin) Kuehnel, Hunter Kuehnel and Connor Kuehnel. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Rudie Maurice and Doris Mae (Brown) Lawrence and In-laws, Audy Lewis and Marie (Fowler) Barnes.

Special thank you to Lisa Jones with Addus Home Care who helped take care of Jerry for a year. Jerry and her had many many laughs and built a beautiful friendship that we will always remember! Thank you Lisa.

A memorial service to celebrate Jerry’s life will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023 at 12:00pm in Lake View Funeral Home, 5000 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights, IL 62208 with visitation from 10:00am until time of service. Inurnment to follow in Lake View Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Shriners Children’s Hospital.