James E. Lawson, 78, Wood St., Brookston, died at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, in Home Hospital, Lafayette, where he had been a patient since March 7.

He was born March 12, 1912, in Cleaton, Ky. He had resided in Brookston, the past 55 years.

He was married Aug. 26, 1935, to Marguerite Mansfield, in Lafayette. She survives.

Mr Lawson was a janitor at the Purdue University Health Service, 15 years, retiring in 1975.

Surviving with his wife, are two sons, Dave Lawson, Lafayette, and Mike Lawson, Brookston; a daughter, Mrs Homer (Wanda) Hutsell, Monticello; and four sisters, Lillian Breisler, Brookston, Violett Baker and Clara Lawson, both of New Albany and Faye Moore, Louisville, Ky. Also, surviving are 13 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren. A son, Wilbur and a sister preceded him in death.

Service was Friday at 11 a.m. in Hartzler Funeral Home, Brookston, with Pastor Bill Glenn officiating.

Burial was in Brookston IOOF Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.