HORNELL-Keith L. Lawton, 82, passed away peacefully early Friday morning (Oct. 9, 2015) at his home on Maple Court.
Born in Hornell on Nov. 13, 1932, he was a son of the late Louis and Winona Schoonover Lawton. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his brother, Robert Lawton.
A graduate of Canisteo Central School, class of 1951, Keith has resided in Hornell for most of his life. From 1951 to his honorable discharge in 1955 he proudly served his country with U.S. Navy with the Fighter Squadron aboard the Franklin Roosevelt Aircraft Carrier. He was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, Navy Occupation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Keith was employed for 20 years as a Trooper with the New York State Police in the Wayland/Bath area and upon his retirement, he became employed with A.L. Blades & Sons in Hornell for 21 years before retiring once again.
He was a member of the Arkport Memorial American Legion Post No. 1248, the Cpl. J.J. Mooney VFW Post No. 2250 in Hornell as well as the Hornell Elks Lodge No. 364 and the Hornell Moose Lodge No. 210.
For many years, he and his wife, Mary Liz, enjoyed being winter residents of Ft. Myers Beach, Fla.
His loving family includes his wife of 59 years, the former Mary Elizabeth Didas, who he married at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell on Sept. 29, 1956.; his three children, Steven (Marie) Lawton of Montour Falls, Kathi Lawton of Ft. Myers Beach, Fla. and Thomas (Joann) Lawton of Caddeo Mills, TX; his two grandchildren, Adam (Michelle) Lawton of Montour Falls and Jonathan (Devin) Lawton of Rochester; his great-grandson, Ian Lawton of Montour Falls; his brother, Tracy Lawton of Las Vegas, Nev.; also his aunt, Evelyn Caward of Canisteo; and his nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Keith L. Lawton.
Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell, where a funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Dudley Jenkins officiating. Committal services and interment, with military honors, will follow at the Bath National Cemetery.
The United States flag and the Navy flag will proudly fly at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in recognition of Keith’s military service with the U.S. Navy.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute to either the American Cancer Society, 13 Beech St., Johnson City, N.Y. 13790 or to Multiple Sclerosis Resources, P.O. Box 237, East Syracuse, N.Y. 13057. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
Online condolences or remembrances of Keith are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
