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 two 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 at home in Jackson, Ohio, Harry learned the values of industriousness, sincerity, and honesty that accompanied him throughout his long life of service. 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 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.
A life-long passion for automobiles developed into thirty-eight years as owner of Lancaster Motors, Inc.
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 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home, 405 N. Columbus St., Lancaster, Ohio 43130 and one hour before the service at the church 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 sign the guestbook, please visit www.funeralhome.com