The community was shocked and the Christmas spirit saddened when the
word was received that Simon Lawlor had passed away Wednesday evening
at 10:35 in Mercy hospital, Clinton.

About three months ago he began to fail in health but his illness was
not considered serious until about a week ago when it was thought
advisable to take him to Mercy hospital, where every effort was made
to arrest the progress of the ailment that was sapping his vitality
away; but medical skill, tender nursing and all that loving hands
could do, would only for a time alleviate his suffering and prolong
his life for a few short days.  Death came and it found his mind
bright, clear and alert, conscious to the end.

During his suffering never a word of complaint was heard and he passed
away with the same smile on his lips that his friends had learned to
know so well and spoke eloquently that he had gone to that eternal
home in peace, where there is no suffering, no sorrow and no sin and
where all is rest, peace and happiness sublime.

Mr. Lawlor has lived in this community for more than twenty years and
during that time has been in business and was highly thought of by the
many whom he served. He leaves a wife and family to mourn his death,
three of the children being at home, Mary, Blanche and Vivian, all of
whom hold responsible positions in this city and Mrs. M. A. Farrell of
Plankinton, So. Dak.

His family was present when the end came after all that human aid
could do for him.

Simon Charles Lawlor was born near Charlotte, Iowa, July 4, 1857 and
on January 12, 1887 was married at Villa Nova to Eva Hogarty. they
removed to Vail, Iowa, and remained there until 1900, when they came
to DeWitt to reside. Here Mr. Lawlor has served three terms on the
Town council and has otherwise been identified with the progress of
the city.

He died as he had lived, a fervent and devout Catholic, fortified by
the last consoling sacraments and rites of his church.

The funeral services were held at St. Joseph's church and consisted of
Requiem High mass celebrated by the pastor, Rev. J. P. Nelson.

The pall bearers were Joseph Cranny, Martin Kelly, William McClimon,
Harry Maynard, Jasper ?owat and Frank Farrell.

The floral offerings were many and beautiful.

Relatives and friends, from a distance who attended the funeral were
Geo. E. Farrell and Carrie Reed, Clinton; Mrs. Elizabeth McDermott and
Wm. McGarry, Davenport; Ray Hogarty, Moline, Ill., Jas Hogarty,
Parnell, Mrs. Herbert Hansen and Geraldine Fitzgerald, Cedar Rapids;
and John Dolan, Huron, So. Dak.

Everyone was his friend and we feel that the text of Father Nelson's
sermon at Mr. Lawlor's funeral, is a very appropriate closing, for his
obituary, "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of a Saint."

[Handwritten on my copy: Dec. 21, 1921.]
----------------------

Solemn High mass of requiem for Mrs. S. C. Lawlor, 73, was conducted
this morning (Thursday) at 9:30 o'clock at St. Joseph's Catholic
church with the Rev. Edward Taylor, celebrant; the Rev. Leo Kerrigan
of Davenport, deacon; the Rev. John Moriarty, Welton, sub-deacon; the
Rev. James Quinlan of Villa Nova, master of ceremonies.

The Rev. G. A. Farrell Cssr. of Davenport gave the funeral sermon and
words of tribute were spoken by the Rev. Thomas F. Loftus.  James Reed
and Mary Jane Carew were soloists. St. Joseph's school choir sang.

The Reverend Loftus officiated at the grave in St. Joseph's cemetery
assisted by the Reverend Quinlan.  Pallbearers werer Don Hogarty,
Martin Farrell, Walter McGarry, Gerald McGarry, Albin Fitzgerald and
Francis McDevitt.

Mrs. Lawlor died Tuesday morning, April 25, 1939 at Mercy hospital,
Davenport where she submitted to a surgical operation on Thursday
morning of last week. Her condition had seemed most favorable for
recovery until late Monday night when the family were summoned hastily
to her bedside. The body was removed to the McGinnis Funeral home of
this city and returned to the late home at 414 Sixth avenue Tuesday
afternoon.

			       Obituary

Evaline Hogarty, daughter of Frank J. and Margaret Hogarty was born at
Villa Nova, September 25, 1865.  She was graduated from Our Lady of
Angels seminary, Clinton, Iowa, and later taught school. On January
12, 1887, she was married to Simon C. Lawlor with the late Monsignor
D. J. Garland officiating. The couple moved to Vail, Crawford county
and remined there until September 1900 when they returned to DeWitt
which has since been her home. Mr. Lawlor preceded her in death
December 21, 1921.

Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. M. A. Farrell, Plankinton, South
Dakota; Miss Mary, Miss Blanche, and Mrs. Vivian Hyink all of
DeWitt. Five grandchildren, Martin, Eugene, Frank, Donald and Mary
Evaline Farrell, one brother, James Hogarty of Nevada and one sister,
Sister M. Trophina of Milwaukee, Wis., also survive.

April 27, 1939
De Witt Observer