On October 2nd, our beloved husband and father left this world peacefully, surrounded by his family, and entered eternal life. David was born on April 24, 1928 in Peoria, Illinois, and attended grade school and high school in Peoria. He moved to Chicago to attend Loyola College, and the University of Illinois dental school, graduating in 1954, the year he married the former Mary Ellen Lonetti. He was a Lieutenant in the Navy, serving as a dentist in San Diego. Following the Navy, he attended Indiana University School of Orthodontics, graduating in 1959. Thereafter, Dave and Ellen moved to Arizona and he set up an orthodontic practice in Scottsdale. He loved being an orthodontist. He was a diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics, member and past President of the Arizona Orthodontic Society, the Arizona Orthodontic Study Club, and the Southwest component of the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontics. He was a volunteer at The Crippled Children’s Hospital, working with cleft palate cases. He was a member of the Arizona Country Club and Forest Highlands Golf Club. In addition to Ellen, his wife of 60 years, he is survived by his son, Thomas (fiancée Rebekah), daughter Catherine (William), and eight grandchildren and one great grandson, his brother Philip (Nancy). He is predeceased by his beloved son, Daniel, his parents Thomas and Irma Lawless, and his brother, Martin (Carol). The family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley and his caregivers over the last many months, Marlene Munoz, Raul Carrasco, Martha Duran, Eva Hernandez, and Rebekah Ford. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at Brophy College Preparatory Chapel, 4701 N. Central Ave., at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, October 7th, 2014. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the David and Ellen Lawless Scholarship fund at Brophy.
linda and george graefe
So sorry to here of your father’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Carol (Birmingham) Reiley
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. I was one of Dr. Lawless’ first patients when he opened his practice in Scottsdale, AZ. He was such a kind man and always eased any fears I might have. I was the first pupil in my grade school to wear braces! I thank him every day for my perfect, straight teeth. He instilled in me the importance of taking good care of my teeth because “You only get one set.”. Thank you Dr. Lawless for your dedication to dentistry in Arizona. You were the best!!
Rick Frisby
Dr. Lawless was my ortho in the early 80’s when I was in grade school. He worked with me for 5 + years. My mom used to tell me Dr. Lawless took my mold to Ortho conventions because my teeth were so bad. I remember he always had a great sense of humor.
R.I.P. Dr. Lawless!