Edwin Arnold Lawler

Posted

(April 9, 2003)

Funeral services were held Monday at the Baptist Church in Meeteetse for Edwin Arnold Lawler, 93, who died Wednesday, April 9 at his Meeteetse home.

Pastor Harvey Seidel of Thermopolis presided at the Monday funeral. A reception followed at Lucille's Cafe in Meeteetse, and then burial was in Thermopolis Monday afternoon with graveside services at Riverside Cemetery.

Mr. Lawler was born in Hebron, Nebr., on Jan. 29, 1910, son of John C. and Mabel Helfer Lawler. He came to the Meeteetse area in the 1930s to work on the Riley and Rice ranches on Wood River.

He married Valaria Cammock in Thermopolis July 21, 1938. The couple had eight children.

The family moved to Meeteetse in 1948 and leased, and later purchased, a gas station. In 1956, Mr. Lawler moved the Chuckwagon Cafe, on a flatbed truck, from Cody to Meeteetse, locating it next to his service station. The combined businesses were called Lawler's Service and Cafe.

From 1969 to 1973, he ranched in the Meeteetse and Sheridan areas. For many years, he was also a guide for Stewart Armstrong and Ed Larsen.

In retirement, the Lawlers moved to Thermopolis in 1985. His wife died in 1994, and he returned to Meeteetse in 1995.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Meeteetse and active in the senior citizen center. He enjoyed pinochle, the outdoors, wildlife, hunting and horses.

Survivors include six daughters, Reta Collins and husband Harvey of Cody, Joyce Neal and husband Doc of Wyola, Mont., Janet Keeler of Monroe, Ore., Sharon Desjarlais of Billings, Mont., Isabel Kershaw and husband Bill of McMinnville, Ore., and Susan Hixson and husband Leonard of Ranchester; two sons, John Lawler and wife Lela of Powell and Charles Lawler and wife Ann of Meeteetse; three sisters, Laurine Nunn and Deryce Reed of Apache Junction, Ariz., and Romona Horner of Crawford, Nebr.; a brother, Albert Lawler and wife Mary of Portland, Ore.; a sister-in-law, Isabell Young of Meeteetse; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; two brothers, Eugene and John Lawler; and three sisters, Thelma, Dorothy and Grace.

Memorials may be made to Spirit Mountain Hospice, 707 Sheridan Ave., Cody, WY 82414, or a charity of choice.

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