Lawrence Lozier

Lawrence H. “Dude” Lozier, 89, of Decatur, passed away on Thursday, December 6, 2018, peacefully at Park Place Assisted Living in Kalamazoo. Lawrence was born on December 12, 1928, to Ernest and Dorthea (Longfellow) Lozier in Warsaw, IN. He graduated from Claypool High School in Claypool, IN in 1946. On October 20, 1950 Lawrence married Esther Longenbaugh in Indiana and they were married for 64 years prior to Esther’s passing on December 31, 2014. Lawrence enlisted in the Army in 1951 and honorably served his country for two years in the Korean War before returning to Indiana in 1953. In 1959 Lawrence and Esther moved to Decatur to join his parents in the family business, known locally as Lozier’s Greenhouses. He worked as a grower and florist, ultimately assuming the business from his parents until 1980 when Lawrence and Esther moved to the Chicago area. He continued work as a florist in Winnetka, IL until his retirement in 1993 when Lawrence and Esther returned to Decatur. He had a passion for country and gospel music. He played the steel guitar, bass fiddle and sang in bands as a young man. This passion continued in his later years when he listened to the many record albums he had collected in his lifetime. He was also an avid fisherman and enjoyed growing flowers, which was his lifelong career and hobby. Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife Esther; his parents, Ernest and Dorthea Lozier; siblings, Genevieve Ernsburger, James Lozier and Frederick Lozier; and great-granddaughter Kali Angel Schidecker. Lawrence is survived by his children, Susan Lozier of Paw Paw, Patti (Neal) Elgersma of Schoolcraft, and Pamela (Richard) Hayes of Portage; grandchildren, Toni (James) Elgersma-Rafferty, Nikki Elgersma-Schidecker, Kristopher Hayes and Patrick Hayes; great-grandchildren, Taylor and Hunter Schidecker, Jozie and Drew Rafferty, Madison and Mikaila Hayes; a sister, Marilyn Sells of Silver Lake, IN and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life memorial service for Lawrence and Esther Lozier will be held at 11AM on Monday, June 24, 2019, at Newell Chapel & Cremation Services, 83313 M51, Decatur, with Pastor James Abshagen officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Monday, June 24, 2019, from 10AM until time of service at the funeral home. Following the burial a luncheon will be held at the Decatur VFW Post 6248. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southwest Michigan, the Alzheimer’s Association or Park Place Assisted Living. Those wishing to leave the family a message of condolence online may do so at www.newellchapel.com.