Harry Rawlins

Harry Elmer Rawlins
1921 2015

Harry Elmer “Shinny” Rawlins, age 94, passed away, after a life well lived, on Sunday August 16, 2015 at the Lanfair Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. He and his wife, Esther had been residents there for 2 months. If one were to tally up all the time that Harry contributed to the city of Lancaster, to the many charitable organizations, civic clubs, The First United Methodist Church, his business, his many friends and to his large, extended family, it literally adds up to an impressive body of accomplishment. Add to that the man with the a rich tenor voice who loved to sing for any occasion as soloist or as a dedicated member of the various choruses of Lancaster, Ohio and you have a monumental force of love.

Born on July 26, 1921 to Marie and Elmer Rawlins in Jackson, Ohio, Harry learned the values of industriousness, sincerity, and honesty that accompanied him throughout his long life of service. It would be impossible here to list all of the organizations associated with Harry Rawlins’s generosity, his leadership and above all, his willingness to serve on any level: Delivering Meals on Wheels and tutoring elementary school students in reading was as important to him as his affiliation with his beloved Lancaster Kiwanis Club, chairmanship of the Fairfield County Heart Association Fund Drive, thirteen years serving as President of the Fairfield County Tuberculosis Association, his forty-five years on The Salvation Army Board of directors, and co-founder of Lancaster’s first chapter of the DeMolay, as well as his membership in the Masonic organizations of Fairfield county. In singing (61 years) and in worship, the First Methodist Church took up much of his time as did his participation for twenty-one years in The Lancaster Men’s Chorus, the Celebration Singers and the Ohio (State Fair) Buckeye Senior Chorus.

Harry considered it an honor to be Lancaster’s “Host” at many events, including the Lancaster Festival, numerous parades and the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Forest Rose Cemetery.

Harry met Esther Miriam Collins on the steps of the Court House in Chillicothe, Ohio. On their wedding day in 1943, they vowed to become a duet for a lifetime. Over the decades that followed, Harry and Esther became well known for their inspirational programs of poetry and song. Their union produced three daughters, who continue to carry on this musical-inspirational tradition.
A life-long passion for automobiles developed into thirty-eight years in the automotive business. Many have known Harry as the friendly owner of Lancaster Motors, Inc. on South Columbus Street.

He is survived by his wife of seventy-one years, Esther Miriam Rawlins of Lancaster, Ohio, sisters Nancy (Larry) Bolton, Maxine (John) Grierson He is also survived by his three daughters, Emily Rawlins ( Falk ) Struckmann of Basel, Switzerland, Harriet Rawlins Hill of Reynoldsburg, Ohio and Donna Rawlins ( Robert ) Feist of Ojai, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marie and Elmer Rawlins, his sisters Betty Weaver, Leora Eddy, brother Preston (Lamar) and Harriet’s longtime companion, Larry Hill. He also leaves behind 25 nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and beloved brother in law, Chester Collins.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, August 23, 2015 at 3 p.m. at The First United Methodist Church with Rev. Cheryl Foulk officiating. Caring Cremation® has taken place. Friends may visit Saturday, from 3-6 p.m. at the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 405 N. COLUMBUS ST., LANCASTER, OHIO 43130 and 1 hour to the service at the church on Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 163 East Wheeling Street, Lancaster, OH 43130 or the Maywood Mission, 1029 South Broad Street, Lancaster, OH 43130.

To send an online condolence, and , please visit www.funeralhome.com.