Iona J. Lawrence of Lanse died peacefully with her sons at her side on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the Mountain Laurel Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Clearfield.
She was born May 7, 1935, a daughter of John (Jack) and Lola (Lucas) Chelton. She was married to George (Ven) Lawrence from 1953 until 1981 and to David Gowans from 1987 until 2009.
She was an integral part as a teacher and a home visitor in establishing Head Start in Cooper Township. Later, as it became Cen-Clear Child Services, she moved into the central office and worked in the nutrition area.
She is survived by two sons, George Lawrence and John E. (Susan) Lawrence, both of Lanse, and three grandchildren, Kira (Kevin) Zimmerman of Meyersdale, J. Matthew (Kiersten) Lawrence of Erie and Leah Lawrence (Kelly Jaczynski) of Cresco.
She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Hailey Bender, Oliver Lawrence, Aubrey Lawrence and Jonathon Zimmerman; a sister, Irene LaRue Conrad of Carlisle; and nieces and nephews from the Conrad and Lawrence families.
She is survived by her companion, John Zelenky and his children, Nancy, Carol, John and Jim.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; an infant son, James; and a granddaughter, Amanda C. Lawrence.
Friends will be received from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Messiah Baptist Church. A service will follow at 2 p.m. Tuesday with the Pastor Ear Shawley officiating. Burial will be in the Messiah Baptist Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to either the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.
The Strange & Weaver Funeral Home, Morrisdale, is serving the family.