POTSDAM--Michael J. Lawrence, 73, Sparta, Wis., a native of Potsdam, died Sunday at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta.

Mr. Lawrence was an Army veteran and had lived for a time in Norwood and Watertown. For many years, he worked in security at Fort McCoy, Wis., and later was supply supervisor there until retiring in 1990.

He was a member of Sparta American Legion Post 100, Sparta Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2112 and Sparta Rod and Gun Club. He enjoyed bowling and golf.

Born Aug. 14, 1930, in Potsdam, he was the son of Oswald L. and Marguerite Devine Lawrence.

He married June Sasaki-Arneson on Sept. 26, 1981, in Sparta.

Surviving besides his wife are two stepsons and a stepdaughter-in-law, Charles Arneson, and his companion, Linda Donskey, and David and Cheryl Arneson, all of Sparta; two stepdaughters and their husbands, Mary and Paul Wolter, Fredericksburg, Va., and Susan and Paul Benzing, Sparta, eight step grand-children and six step-great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with the Rev. James Leary officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Sparta.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home, Sparta.

(From the Tuesday, February 24, 2004 edition of the Watertown Daily Times, page D7).