Lawrence E. Newman

Lawrence E. Newman, Sr. (88) of Adel, Iowa passed peacefully and went home to Jesus early Sunday morning, August 7, 2016. Lawrence was born the son of Charles W. Newman and Louise (McGlothlen) McAvoy on August 29, 1927. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 12 at McCalley Funeral Home in Adel. Burial with full military honors will be at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines. Friends may call after 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 11 at the funeral home where family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Lawrence, a World War II veteran, led a full, productive life, beginning with his tour of duty with the US Army Air Corps, and later the US Air Force as an aerial photographer, mapping the South Pacific from the nose of a B-17G. Upon returning to the States, he married Frances W. Hunt on April 17, 1949. He began his civilian career at the Des Moines Clay Company, where he worked his way up to dispatcher. He then moved to Carlisle to be the production manager of Carlisle Brick and Tile in 1962, then to Adel in 1968 to be the production manager at United Brick and Tile, then RYCO Manufacturing before serving as a Funeral Assistant at McCalley Funeral Home for over 15 years. In November 1987, he was elected mayor of Adel and served for one term. Prior to that, he served on the planning and zoning commission. After his family and friends, Lawrence loved flying most of all. He owned a small plane, and enjoyed taking cross-country trips, weekend flight breakfasts, and just getting off the ground, in general. In his early days, he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, where he learned to fly, and numerous other airplane-related organizations. He was also a member of the Adel Lions Club, American Legion Post #464, the Quiet Birdmen, and a long time member of the Adel United Methodist Church. Lawrence was preceded by his wife, Frances; parents; his sister, Mary Z. Williams; step-mother, Hazel Newman and two brothers. Lawrence is survived by his friend and partner, Gloria Baker; sisters, Linda (Mike) Salyers and Karen Smith; sons, Lawrence, Jr. (Mae) and Steven (Carmen); three grandchildren, Steven, Sara and Jessica; and three great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be directed to HCI or his church. Online condolences may be left at on this site.