Funeral services and Mass of Christian burial for Paul "Duke" Lawler, 75, a resident of Davenport, will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1923 N. Fillmore Street, Davenport.
Visitation is Wednesday at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, 614 Main St., downtown Davenport. It will begin with a prayer service at 4 p.m. that all are invited to attend and will conclude at 7 p.m. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Paul died suddenly Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, at his residence in Davenport.
Paul Matthew "Duke" Lawler was born Sept. 22, 1935, the youngest son of Mary Clifford Lawler and Daniel Vincent Lawler, in Wall Lake Iowa. He graduated from Heelan High School, Sioux City, Iowa and attended St. Ambrose College.
Paul was proud to have served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1959. On Oct. 8, 1960, he married his bride of nearly 50 years, Marti Pottebaum at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport. They had anxiously awaited the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. Paul retired in 1997 after many years of service for Altorfer Incorporated, Lift Truck Division.
Paul was active in coaching Witt Flooring Company at Central Little League for five years. He was a former officer of The Knights of Columbus #532, Davenport, and remained active until his death. Paul was also an active member of the Assumption and Holy Family Communities.
Duke loved being a fan of all sports for Assumption High School in Davenport. He and Marti could be seen at all the Assumption High School sporting events, even long after they put their three children through Assumption.
Paul is survived by his wife, Marti, and three children: Tim and Anne Lawler, and their children Megan, Matt, Katie, and Michael, of Minnetonka, Minn.., Steve Lawler of Rock Island, Ill., Laura and Arlo Radeuchel, and their children Abby and Tom of Davenport; a brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Jackie Lawler, and sisters and brother-in-law, Marie Johnson, and Jean and Art Disney.
Paul was preceded in death by his infant son Michael, his parents, Mary and Daniel Lawler, brothers, Gerald and Louis, and sisters Veronica, Catherine, and Alice.
Paul was a man of integrity who lived by the code of honor, loyalty and love. Faith, family and sports were important parts of his life. He expressed his faith through his devotion to his loving wife, children and grandchildren. Paul’s greatest joy was his family. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. He found joy and wonderment in even the simplest of life’s pleasures. Paul was kind to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.
The Lawler family would like to express their gratitude for all the support and prayers from family and friends.
Memorials may be made to Assumption High School, or Holy Family Catholic Church.
Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting Paul’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
