Lavon C Florence, 81, of Oakwood, passed away on  Monday, September 3, 2012 at the Ann Arbor Veterans Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI.

He was born on July 1, 1931 to Ellsworth and Helen (Partee) Florence in Defiance, OH.   He married Rhonda Stoller on October 18, 1985 and she survives.  Also surviving him are his sons, Leo (Pam) Florence of Defiance, OH, Lowell Florence of Cecil, OH, Lavon T (Barbara) Florence of Oakwood, OH, Lance Florence of Sherwood, OH, daughters, Linda (Jerry) Justinger of Defiance, OH, Laura Rose of Defiance, OH, 20 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, brothers, Donald (Betty) Florence of Bryan, OH,  Roger (Frances) Florence of Defiance, OH, Kenneth (Bernice) Florence of Defiance, OH, and Robert (Betty) Florence, Defiance, OH,  sisters, Delores Robarge of Bryan, OH, Mary (Arnold) Mandrick of Hillsdale, MI, Jean (Lavon) Wiseman of Defiance, OH, Janet (Bill) Fischer of Defiance, OH, and Rita (Paul) Karnes of Defiance, OH.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a  brother, Larry Florence, a sister, Norma Miller, and a step grandson, Joseph White.

Lavon was a member of First Baptist Church, Life member of the VFW Post 3360 and the AMVETS.  He was also a member of the Eagles.  Lavon worked at Johns Manville from 1950 -1962, then for the Wabash Railroad as a conductor from 1962 until his retirement in 1986 working at the Peru-Toledo and Defiance terminals.  He was a US Army veteran (Sgt 1C Ranger) serving during the Korean War from 1950 - 1956. He was also an avid bowler and enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 07, 2012 from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Hanenkrath-Clevenger-Schaffer Funeral Home, Defiance, OH & Saturday, September 08, 2012 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at the church prior to the services.  An AMVET service will be held on Friday @ 3PM.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2012, at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church, Defiance, Ohio, with Rev. Tim Yazel, officiating.

Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery where graveside rites will be accorded by VFW Post 3360.