Obituary of Lawrence F. Horner

Lawrence “Whitey” Horner was one of four children and the only son born to Anna and Lawrence on January 9, 1921 in National Park NJ.   He grew up, lived and worked in Bridgeton. 

 After serving in the Army during World War II he married his sweetheart, Grace Morgan Horner and they remained happily married for 57 years. He and Grace built their house with their own four hands and lived in Bridgeton up until his retirement from Owens- Illinois Glass Company after working as a Leer Shift Supervisor.  He and Gracie became Florida snowbirds, splitting their time between Vero Beach FL and Bridgeton and eventually permanently moved in with their daughter, Karen and son-in- law Corky.  Grace predeceased him in 2005.  

Whitey is survived by two daughters, Karen Bowman (Corky) and Kay Ballinger; niece, Anne Levenson and special friend Linda Coakley, all of Vero Beach.

As a father of two girls, he was often happiest while attended their high school sporting events and continued following their coaching careers at Bridgeton High School and Schalick High School.

Whitey was a gently, loving soul.  He lived a long and happy life and succumbed to ill health only a week before the end of his life. He was surrounded by his family at the VNA Hospice House.

Decency, kindness, honor, humor, reliability, eager to help out:  These are the qualities that Whitey not only held in high esteem, but practiced every day during his life on this earth.

He was a serious and disciplined man, but he could never resist the opportunity to have a laugh with family and friends, given half a chance.  

He saw a lot during his lifetime: The world changed over from horses and buggies to cars, The Great Depression, The Holocaust, Pearl Harbor, women getting equal rights, Jackie Robinson, VE Day of WWII, the invention of the television, The Civil Rights Movement, men walking on the moon, technology explosion, 9/11, the first Super Bowl Game, etc., all understandably influencing his views on the post-war world in which he lived. 

Whitey enjoyed sports, especially baseball at Dodgertown in Vero Beach FL, Bingo, casino trips, and jigsaw puzzles.  He had a special fondness and bond with all young children he encountered.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 16th at 11 AM at the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Twp.  Friends will be received from 10 to 11 AM prior to the services at the funeral home.  Interment will take place at Laurel Lawn Cemetery in Upper Deerfield Twp.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Lawrence Horner to the VNA Hospice House, 901 37th Street, Vero Beach, FL, 32960.

Written condolences can be sent to the family at www.padghettfuneralhomes.com.