Edward E. Lawler Sr. died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Miss. He was 84.

Mr. Lawler was born in Akron, Ohio, on April 20, 1927. Early in his childhood his family moved to Memphis. Mr. Lawler graduated from Christian Brothers College in 1945. Immediately following high school graduation, Mr. Lawler was drafted into the United States Army where he served his county in World War II as an officer in Germany. Upon his honorable discharge, Mr. Lawler returned to the States and enrolled at the University of Mississippi where he completed his formal education. While attending Ole Miss, Mr. Lawler was a member of Sigma Chi social fraternity.

Mr. Lawler began his business career in the management training program with Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. in Memphis. Not long after completing his initial training, Mr. Lawler was asked to open a store in Vicksburg. He and his wife, Kathryn, then moved to Vicksburg where they began and raised their family until his death.

Mr. Lawler was the consummate salesman and during his over 45 years in business he worked in various sales positions. Mr. Lawler retired in 1994 to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Throughout his life, Mr. Lawler was active in numerous community and philanthropic activities including the Lion’s Club, Knights of Columbus and the Jaycee’s. Mr. Lawler is a past president of the Downtown Merchant’s Society and served on the Board of Directors for the Southern Cultural Heritage Society in Vicksburg. Upon his retirement, Mr. Lawler volunteered his time and talents as a licensed guide at the Vicksburg National Military Park.

Most important of all of his activities was his devotion to his living faith. Mr. Lawler was an active member of St. Paul Catholic Church for over 50 years serving as lector and Eucharistic Minister.

Mr. Lawler was preceded in death by his parents, William Wallace Lawler and Catherine Celia McDonald; and brother, Raymond Conrad Lawler.

Mr. Lawler leaves a wife of 60 years, Kathryn Faherty Lawler; three children, Edward E. Lawler Jr. (Susan McEven Lawler), Raymond Kyle Lawler (Michele Violette Lawler) and Mary Kathryn Lawler Shell (James Randal Shell Sr.); and five grandchildren; Layson Elizabeth Lawler, William Coleman Lawler, Kathryn Janeanna Shell and James Randal Shell Jr. and Kevin Tyler Lawler.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Paul Catholic Church with the Monsignor Patrick Farrell officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation is from 2 until 4 today with a wake service at 3 p.m. at Riles Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Stanley B. Kline, Robert Fleming, Phillip McDonald, Mark Hosemann and Dr. Charles Hosemann.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. and Mrs. R.F. Evans III, Mary Frances Baker, Katherine Kennedy and Sam Lusco.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church, 713 Crawford St., Vicksburg, MS 39180, or Vicksburg Catholic School, 1900 Grove St., Vicksburg, MS 39183.