Jun 6, 2021

Robert J. Lawton, 92, of New Castle, passed away the evening of May 31, 2021.

He was born December 10, 1928, in Washington, a son of the late R. Ward and Alberta Tripp Lawton.

Bob was graduated from Trinity High School, Washington, class of 1947 and Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, class of 1951. He enlisted in the United States Army and served for two years and two days (1952-1954) and was discharged with the rank of Corporal.

He married the former Rosalyn “Rose” Scott on September 12, 1959. She survives him.

Bob was a salesman. He had been employed by Wheel and Rim Sales Co., Toledo, Ohio; Insurance Services, Zelienople; and retired in 2020 from Window World of Youngstown, Ohio.

Bob was an active 60- plus year member of Northminster Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon, trustee and elder, serving 14 years as clerk of session.

Bob was active in Rotary International. He was a member of New Castle Rotary #89 and served as president. He then served as district governor for Rotary International in 1996-1997. He attended international conventions in Mexico City, Orlando, Calgary, Glasgow and Indianapolis. He was active in the Youth Exchange Program during which he and Rose hosted several international exchange students. He was a Paul Harris Fellow.

Bob was a 32nd Degree Mason for 60-plus years and a member of Byesville Lodge, Byesville, Ohio, for nearly 70 years.

Bob and Rose and family attended family camp at Lambec, North Springfield, for over 40 years. They also were members of Paws and Taws.

Bob is survived by two children, Scott Robert (Christina) Lawton, of Dortmund, Germany, and Anne Elizabeth Lawton (Will) Stone of Montreat, N.C., and Washington, D.C.; one brother, Richard E. Lawton, Lancaster, Ohio; and four grandchildren, Henry and Carl Lawton of Dortmund, Germany, Dr. Lois Elizabeth Stone of Manchester, U.K. and Ensign Robert H. Stone, U.S. Coast Guard, New Orleans, La.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 7, at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2434 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105. The family will be receiving guests at 10 a.m. in the church, with the Rev. Dr. Jordan Rimmer officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2434 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105 (www.npcnc.org); The Rotary Foundation (https://my.rotary.org/en/document/contribution-form-rotary-foundation); or The City Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 965, New Castle, PA 16103 (https://cityrescuemission.org/)

Arrangements have been entrusted to the R. Cunningham Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105.