David Lawrence Is Heart Attack Victim

Daily Iowegian - 5 August 1963

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  David Lawrence, evangelist, who was 68, died suddenly in the St. Joseph Hospital Saturday, August 3, 1963, at 6:15 p.m. He had been ill for two days.

  Last Wednesday evening a newsman had talked with David at his home at 205 South Twelfth street during an interview with his mother-in-law, Mrs. Anna Norris, who was 100 years old Saturday. At that time he told of feeling indisposed but thought it was a case of indigestion. He had, however, had a cardiograph made.

  Evangelist Lawrence was born in Treherbert, Wales, July 22, 1895, and was the son of David John and Gwen Griffith Lawrence.

  During World War I he served in the Royal Medical Corps with the British Army. For 10 years following the war he served with a group of Christian Evangelists known as the "Pilgrim Preachers," who toured the Isles.

  Mr. Lawrence came to the United States in 1917, returned to Wales in 1928, then came back to the States in 1929.

  On February 17, 1929, he was united in marriage with Edna Norris in Numa, Iowa. They have lived in Centerville for 30 years.

  During World War II he worked in Christian canteens for service men in various cities of the United States. From 1947 through 1950 he led a group of young men  known as "The Gospel Messengers on Tour." He had been a minister for 49 years and during that time served the Gospel Chapel in Centerville until his passing.

  He had been in charge of a radio program "The Gospel Hour," over KCOG for 14 1/2 years.

  Preceding him in death are his parents, one sister and one brother. Survivors include his widow, two sisters, Miss Margaret Lawrence and Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Rees, of Philadelphia, Pa.; and one brother, Dr. Tom Lawrence of Hartford, Conn.

  The body is at the Miller-Wehrle Funeral Home where funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 7, at 2 p.m. Dave Horn of Denver, Colo., and John Horn of Atchison, Kans., will officiate.

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