SPRINGFIELD, IL – Lawrence H. Baptist III, 71, passed away October 18, 2022, at Springfield Memorial Hospital.

He was born February 28, 1951, to Lawrence H. and Elfleda (Hagerty) Baptist, Jr. He married Susan Ellis on July 19, 2003. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, John, Donald and David.

Lawrence was US Navy Veteran. He retired from Memorial Medical Center.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; children, Lawrence H. Baptist IV (Jessica Rice), Dawn (Gary) Osborne and Hope (Mike) Taylor; step-daughter, Lara (Jerome) Neal; grandchildren, Courtney, Cody, Bonnie, Brooke, Ayanna, Jerome, Jayla and Jaylesha; great-grandchildren, Ellieana, Everleigh, Hadlee, Alliya, Jakayla, Carter, Jasiah and Jayce; siblings, Brenda, Tina, Kevin and Lawrence Edward Baptist; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until the time of service at 4 p.m. Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home with Reverend Clint Cook officiating.

Graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, October 31, 2022, at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to: ASPCA