Deacon Joseph F. LawrenceDeacon Joseph F. Lawrence, 96, formerly of McSherrystown, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Homewood Living Plum Creek, where he lived since July 2022.
He was born in Irishtown on September 17, 1930, the sixth of ten children of Paul B. Lawrence and Violet (Eltz) Lawrence. He attended grade school at Conewago Chapel in Edgegrove, and he graduated valedictorian of the Class of 1948 from Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown. His career in the business office at Bethlehem Steel Company outside of Hanover was interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Upon his return, he resumed working for Bethlehem Steel and eventually held the position of Financial Controller of the Hanover plant. He also married Helen B. Smith of Irishtown in July 1954, with whom he enjoyed 68 years together until her death in October 2022. At age 55, he took early retirement from Bethlehem Steel to answer God’s call and was ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church. He served Annunciation BVM Parish in McSherrystown until he formally retired at age 88.
Deacon Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his stillborn son Paul, and his nine brothers and sisters: Josephine M. Cornbower, Margaret M. Noel, Pauline M. Poist, Geraldine M. Wagner, Paul F. Lawrence, Regina C. Preston, Barbara A. Miller, Carroll C. Lawrence, and Edward F. Lawrence.
He is survived by his children Cynthia A. Bushey (Roger), Michael J. Lawrence (Daniel Wagner), Stephen G. Lawrence (Christine), and John A. Lawrence (Maureen). He is also survived by his grandchildren Eric Bushey, Jared Bushey, Brandon Bushey, Jacob Lawrence, Zachary Lawrence, Matthew Lawrence, Alyson Lawrence, Erica Lawrence, Sarah Lawrence, and Meghan Lawrence, as well as his great-grandchildren Natalie, Hannah, Logan, Blaine, Brianna, Eli, Gabriella, Lawson, another great-grandchild to be welcomed in November, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Deacon Lawrence will be remembered for his dedication to his Church, his love of family, his love of gardening – especially his flowers and tomatoes – his enjoyment of hunting and fishing, the countless card games of 500, and his quick, witty banter with his nurses and aides. Most of all, he loved nothing more than having his entire family home and gathered around the table.
Deacon Lawrence was also a member of the Father Cyril Allwein Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, the McSherrystown Knights of Columbus, the Bonneauville Catholic War Vets, the McSherrystown Home Association, the John T. Reilly Historical Society (charter member), the McSherrystown Fish & Game, and the Amvets of Hanover.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Annunciation B.V.M. Catholic Church, 26 N. Third St., McSherrystown, PA 17344. Burial after the Mass will be at Conewago Chapel Cemetery next to his wife, Helen.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to Annunciation BVM Church, 26 N. Third St., McSherrystown, PA 17344 in Deacon Lawrence’s memory.
Share condolences at www.beckfunerals.com.
(Obituary published via Murphy-Beck Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc. – McSherrystown on Sep. 25, 2026.)
