Herman Lawrence

ANNA, Ill. -- The Rev. Herman C. "H.C." Lawrence, 84, of Anna died Saturday, June 29, 2013, at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna.

He was born May 14, 1929, in Pocahontas, Ark., son of Jack and Marie Rogers Lawrence. He married Elizabeth Abernathy on July 23, 1954.

H.C. worked 27 years at Shawnee Community College as a counselor and as superintendent of buildings and grounds. Before working there, he taught school. He was a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, Tenn. H.C. was a retired United Methodist minister, pastoring at Ebenezer and Saratoga Methodist churches, and served as chaplain at area prisons.

He served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force for eight years.

H.C. had a passion for serving veterans and specialized in veterans counseling during his tenure at Shawnee College. As part of his advocacy for veterans, he was asked to testify on Capitol Hill on veterans benefits related to housing and education. H.C. served as president of Illinois Veterans Congress, and on the boards of Hospitality House and Bethany Village.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth of Anna; five children, Jack (Beverly) Lawrence of Winston-Salem, N.C., Julie Lawrence of Springfield, Ill., James "J.C." (Mary) Lawrence of Jackson, Joe Lawrence of Springfield and Jonathan (Sherrie) Lawrence of Nashville, Tenn.; eight grandchildren, Nicole, Whitney, Abraham, Jacob, Anthony, Teresa, David and Julia; seven great-grandchildren, Halen, Corbin, Scotty, Titan, Christina, Noah and Waylan; two sisters, Lanetta Pettit of Godfrey, Ill., and Louise Watson of Manhattan, Ill.; a brother, Clifton Lawrence of Madison, Ind.; and nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Roberta Eickelman; and a brother, J.L. Lawrence.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Anna.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Brett Yates and Jim Stamp officiating. Interment will be in McCrite Cemetery, with military honors by Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455.

Memorials may be made to McCrite Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences visit crainsonline.com.