Harold Lee “Pat” Lawder, 91, of Murphysboro, Illinois, passed way Monday October 14, 2019, at Prairie Living at Chautauqua in Carbondale, IL. Harold was born on February 29, 1928, in Rockwood, IL to Patrick and Ruby (Spinner) Lawder. He married Lida Carlene (Ray) on March 30, 1963 in the First Presbyterian Church in Chester, IL and she preceded him in death in 2011.

He was a strong boy and excelled in athletics and was eventually inducted into the Chester High School Hall of Fame. Mr. Lawder served his country in the Army during the Korean Conflict earning the rank of 1st Lt.

From Decatur Herald Publication - June 13, 1950,  Harold L. Lawder, recent graduate of Shurtleff College in Alton, was named head track coach and assistant in football and basketball at East Richland High School, according to Superintendent L.V. Krutsinger. He succeeds William M. Malinsky who resigned. Lawder was an honor student and all around athlete at Shurtleff. He graduated from Chester High School in 1946.

He was the owner of the Lawder Sand Co. but had always felt that God had a plan for his life and after four years of planning, in January of 1982, he made the first airing of WXAN Christian Radio. This was only the beginning as he also had KMHM in Marble Hill MO and served as Chairman of the Board of the First State Bank of Campbell Hill for 14 years. He was a devoted Christian and a member of the Victory Baptist Church of Carterville, IL.

He is survived by his two step sons Ronald and Irene Glasener of McMinnville, TN and Vincent and Teresita Glasener of WI; five step grandchildren; seven-step-great grandchildren and one close friend and coworker Will Stephens.

Funeral arrangements held at Pettett Funeral Home with Pastor Glen Aulgur Officiating. His body laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Chester, IL.

Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL) – October 16, 2019