Lavon (bonnie) Isabelle Lawless

Bonnie Lawless, age 71 of Dover, died early Tuesday morning in Union Hospital following an extended illness. Born LaVon Isabelle Maughan on January 18, 1933 in Omaha Nebraska, she was a daughter of the late John and Florence Maus Maughan. At an early age, her family relocated to Dover, the place she would call home, marry and raise her family. Her brother is credited with having nicknamed her Bonnie, a name she kept and used all of her life. Bonnie graduated from the former St. Joseph Senior High School with the class of 1951. She was a talented sewer. She enjoyed baking and canning, especially for her family. She had a career in hairdressing that spanned four decades. Bonnie owned and operated the former LaVon’s Beauty Salon in downtown Dover. Bonnie was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Bonnie married Neal Lawless on February 28, 1953. The couple spent more than fifty years together rearing three daughters; Germaine (Dr. Jeff) Bory of Carrollton, OH, Kathy (Jeff) Rothacher of Dover, and Patti (Jim) Moore of Dover. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren Jamie and Jeffrey Rothacher and Samantha Jo Moore. Four great-grandchildren complete the family, Dalton, Colton, Dillan and Derron. Bonnie is survived by a sister, Mary (C. Robert) Gintz of San Jose, CA. In addition to her parents, an infant grandson, Cody James Morre, a sister, Virginia Harper, and a brother, Edward Maughan, precede her in death.At Bonnie’s request, there are no public calling hours. Cremation will be conducted locally through the care of the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory of New Philadelphia. Msgr. George J. Schlegel will lead a memorial mass at 10:30 AM Thursday October 28, 2004 in Sacred Heart Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Dover Township.