Robert Edwin Lavanture

Robert Edwin Lavanture, 87, of 28070 CR# 24, Elkhart, died at 2 pm Monday, September 15, 2009 at Hubbard Hill Estates.

He was born April 27, 1922 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania to Herbert and Helen (Miller) Lavanture and married Pauline Mae Lutz in 1944. She preceded him in death. Surviving are 2 sons, Robert W. (Margaret) Lavanture of Naples, FL and Richard A. (Marla) Lavanture of Bristol, IN; 6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and a sister, Dorothy of Pottstown, PA.

Mr. Lavanture retired as co-founder of LaVanture Products, Inc. where he had worked since 1969. He graduated from Albright College, Reading, PA with a business degree. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II in the Marshall Islands and received the Soldiers Medal. He was a member of the National Council of Y.M.C.A. since 1946; the American National Red Cross Association since 1950; Elk’s Lodge; Heritage United Methodist Church, Clearwater, FL; He was active in the United States Masters Swimming Association; Member of the Long Aquatic Center, Clearwater, FL and the Y.M.C.A. of the Suncoast, Palm Harbor, FL.

Private family services will be held at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd. Elkhart. Entombment will take place at Rice Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Y.M.C.A. of the Suncoast, Youth Swimming Program, 4550 Village Center Drive, Palm Harbor, FL 34685. Visit www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com to sign an online guestbook.