WAVERLY — John B. Lawless, 66, of Waverly, lost his three-year battle with cancer on Monday, Dec. 20, 2010.

He was born July 11, 1944, in Ironton, the son of the late Charles Sr. and Hazel Phillips Lawless. He was a graduate of Ironton High School, a proud Vietnam veteran of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines and a member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Columbus. He was a member of American Legion Post 142 in Waverly, a life member of VFW Post 108 in Chillicothe and a past post commander of VFW in Columbus. He was retired from the VFW as a service officer.

Johnny was also preceded in death by his sister, Libby (Sissie) Lawless, brother, Charles Jr. (Butch) Lawless and his stepson and best friend, Danny Johnson.

John is survived by his loving wife and caregiver, Shirley (Kelly) Lawless and in his words, his most precious gifts, daughter, Judy (Keith) Caudill of Grove City, and Nancy (Cameron) McNeal and adored granddaughter, Cayla McNeal, all of Nashville, Tenn. He was loved and will be missed by his sister, Ella Lawless, and brother, Bill Lawless, of Ironton, brother, Paul Handley, of Charleston, S.C., the mother of his daughters, Ann Fullerton of Powell, baby dog, Maggie, loving nieces and nephews, step-grandchildren and many friends.

Burial is at the Dayton National Cemetery with Father William Hahn officiating.