Lawrence R. Van Etten

LAWRENCE R. VAN ETTEN, age 80, of 3 Thresher Place, Freeville, NY died Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008 at the Cortland Regional Medical Center after a long illness. Lawrence was born Sept. 20, 1927 at Spencer, NY a son of the late Ernest and Bessie Cooper VanEtten. He served in the US Navy during WW II and on July 5, 1947 while stationed at Charleston Naval Base was married to the former Martha Joseph at Charleston, SC. He was a member of the Leonard T. Spaulding Post #1134, American Legion and the Dryden Township Post #8158, Veterans of Foreign Wars as well as being a lifetime member of the W. B. Strong Vol. Fire Co. He retired as a poultry salesman and had lived in Freeville since 1956. In retirement he was employed by Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Ithaca and Cortland. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and brother who enjoyed his family and working in his yard. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Martha, at home, his daughters, Jo Ann (Clinton) Burdick of Lumberton, NC and Marsha (Charles) Nelson of Gable, SC; a son, Lawrence R. VanEtten, Jr. of Freeville; sisters, Pauline Acla and Jean Van Houghton both of Spencer; six grandchildren, Brian Allen, Jennifer Daly, Jessica Morrison, Charles Crum, Katie Greene and Emily Nelson; six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, Lavere and Albert Van Etten, Hazel Henderson and Edna Vanderpoole.

Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008 at the Perkins Funeral Home with Rev. Dale Austin officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lansing. Military honors will be accorded by members of the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home Ritual Team at the grave. Friends are invited to call Friday, Sept. 5th from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home 55 West Main St., Dryden. Memorials are graciously directed to the United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 229, Freeville, NY 13053.

Lawrence R. Van Etten

September 20 1927 - September 3, 2008