Otis F. Lawrence

Otis F. Lawrence, age 98, of Adrian, MI, passed away, September 7, 2017, at Bixby Medical Center. He was born May 4, 1919, in Coldwater, MI, the son of Welsey & Pauline (Cox) Lawrence. On May 24, 1942, he married Betty J. Martin, she preceded him in death.  Otis was an engineer at the E. J. & E. Railroad in Joliet, IL for fourteen years. He then owned Adrian Beverages for twenty eight years until his retirement in 1983. Otis served on Madison School Board and was the Past President of the Madison Schools PTA & Band Boosters. He was also the president of the Michigan Soft Drink Bottlers Association from 1980 to 1983. Otis was a member of the 1 Mosaic Church in Adrian, MI.  He is survived by one son, Martin (Sharlene) Lawrence, one daughter, Nancy (Irvin) Derks, his grandchildren, Beth (Mahadi) Al-Heleal, James M. Lawrence, Richard (Michelle) Derks and Michael Derks, ten great grandchildren, one great great grandson, one brother, Wesley (Marion) Lawrence, numerous nieces and nephews and special friend, Loretta Bulloch.  In addition to his wife Betty and his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, James Lawrence, one granddaughter, Cathy Derks, one brother, Alvin Lawrence and two sisters, Dora McQuilkin and Nancy Jones.  Funeral Services will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at 1 Mosaic Church, 1002 W. Maple Street, Adrian, MI. Burial will follow in Lester Cemetery, Quincy, MI. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM & 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, 2959 N. Adrian Hwy, Adrian, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: 1 Mosaic Church, Adrian, MI. www.PurseFuneralHome.com