Kenneth E. Lawrence, age 78, died on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 3:38 a.m. at Lima Memorial Health System.

He was born on August 26, 1936 in Bluffton to Christopher Paul and Elvira (Gratz) Lawrence who preceded him in death. On September 9, 1956 he married Sondra D. McCluer and she died on December 23, 2009.

Kenneth was a farmer and co-founder of LaKing Trucking Incorporated. He formerly was the manager at the Sohigro/Terra Fertilizer Plant in Harrod. He was a member of the Harrod Christian Church, Harrod. He was a former member of the Allen County Fair Board. Kenneth was a member of the Farm Bureau Council #18, Allen County Agriculture Hall of Fame and the Ohio Cattlemans Association. He was a 1954 graduate of Harrod High School.

Surviving are four sons: Douglas (Denise) Lawrence of Lima, David (Barbara) Lawrence of Harrod, Darin (Misty) Lawrence of Lima and Christoph (Aline) Damaske of Germany; three daughters: Demaris (Joe) Reffitt of Harrod, Deborah (Scott) Lloyd of Harrod and Darcy (Mark) DeLeon of Harrod; 33 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren; a brother, Carl Lawrence of Harrod; and a sister, Catherine Graber of Enid, OK.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Alexandra Morgan Lawrence and a great-granddaughter, Trenna Faith Reffitt.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m.Thursday, July 30 at Harrod Christian Church, 273 South Main Street, Harrod, with Pastor Gary Rummel officiating. Burial will be in Auglaize Cemetery, Harrod.

Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 29 at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harrod Christian Church, 273 South Main Street, Harrod, Ohio 45850.