Obituary of Philip R. Lawrence

Philip R. Lawrence, 67, of Coralville, died Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at Lantern Park Care Center after a lengthy battle with kidney cancer. A memorial service will be help at 4p.m., Saturday, August 20, 2011, at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City with a time of visitation prior to the service, beginning at 2 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Philip’s memory to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be sent to his family through the web @www.gayandciha.com. Philip was born April 19, 1944, in Tuscola, IL; son of Raymond and Pauline (Morris) Lawrence. After high school, Phil attended Southern Illinois University and went on to work for Continental Grain with quality control where he spent 28 years. During this time, he married Linda Schlueter on May 9, 1970 in Carbondale, IL. He also worked for several years for Graham Plastics as a shift supervisor; retiring in 2005. They spent many years in the Iowa City area and enjoyed the time spent so close to family. He enjoyed time spent bowling, hunting, camping and golfing. After his cancer diagnosis, Philip focused more time on woodworking which had become a form of therapy for him. His family includes his daughter, Christine Reid of Coralville; grandsons Cory and Josh Reid; mother, Pauline Lawrence of Arcola, IL; sister, Linda Wickersham, of Arcola, IL; sister-in-law, Barbara Kuenne of California; brother-in-law, Bill Schlueter and his wife, Margaret of Fairview Heights, IL, as well as four nieces and a nephew. Philip was preceded in death by his wife, Linda and his father.