Dale E. Lawrence

Dale E. Lawrence, 78, of Atkinson, passed away on Friday, March 02, 2018, at Hammond Henry Hospital in Geneseo, IL. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory, Atkinson. Deacon Harley Chaffee will officiate. A visitation will be held prior to the prayer service, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be left to the Dale Lawrence Memorial Fund. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Dale was born on November 14, 1939, the son of William Leroy and Luella Mae (Freeze) Johanson, in Moline, IL. He was united in marriage to Dixie A. Reed on March 15, 1958, in Milan, IL. Dale worked at John Deere Planter Works for several years before owning and operating the Oakwood Motel for 15 years. He later became an independent truck driver and owner of Lawrence Trucking. He was a member of Stewart Masonic Lodge AF & AM, and Eastern Star. Dale enjoyed trucking, camping, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Dixie; sons, Kurt Lawrence, Atkinson, and Kris (Donna) Lawrence, Hillsdale; daughter, Karen Disterhoft (Ken Glines), Atkinson; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Dale is also survived by his brothers, William (Lynn) Lawrence, AZ, and Calvin (Paula) Lawrence, MI; half-brothers, Albert Johanson, Roger Johanson, and Leroy (Brenda) Johanson; and half-sister, Kathy (Randy) McMean.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, William and Luella; sister, Irma; and great-grandson, Sean.