DECATUR, Mich. – Lawrence H. "Dude" Lozier, 89, of Decatur, Mich., passed away peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, at Park Place Assisted Living in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Lawrence was born on Dec. 12, 1928, to Ernest and Dorthea Longfellow Lozier in Warsaw. He graduated from Claypool High School in Claypool in 1946.
On Oct. 20, 1950, Lawrence married Esther Longenbaugh in Indiana. They were married for 64 years prior to Esther's passing on Dec. 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, Ill., 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 and 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, Mich.; Patti (Neal) Elgersma of Schoolcraft, Mich.; and Pamela (Richard) Hayes of Portage, Mich.; grandchildren: Toni (James) Elgersma-Rafferty, Nikki Elgersma-Schidecker, Kristopher Hayes and Patrick Hayes; great-grandchildren: Taylor and Hunter Schidecker, Jozie and Drew Rafferty, and Madison and Mikaila Hayes; a sister, Marilyn Sells of Silver Lake; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life and a memorial service for Lawrence and Esther Lozier will be held at a later date. They will be laid to rest at Lakeside Cemetery in Decatur.
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Memorials 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.
