Jay Lawrence Lavender
Jay had been a resident of Kosciusko County, Ind., for the past 32 years, and was an attorney with Lavender & Bauer, P.C. of Warsaw, Ind., for the past 28 years. He was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1982; he was also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court-Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.
He was the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Kosciusko County from 1982-1988 and the Chief Trial Deputy for the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in Kosciusko County from 1983-1988.
He received his B.A. in 1971 from Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. Jay then received his J.D. in 1981 from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio. He was a member of Delta Theta Phi Fraternity, member of the Kosciusko County, Indiana State and American Bar Associations; Indiana Trial Lawyers Association; and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
Jay taught Criminal Law at Grace College in Winona Lake from 1983 until his passing, and he was the girls varsity basketball coach at Lakeland Christian Academy for 10 years.
Jay’s greatest love was for the Lord and his family.
He was born in Wellston, Ohio, on Jan. 21, 1949, to the late Albert Jack Lavender and Alma Edith (Davis) Lavender who survives in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was married on May 27, 1972, in Cincinnati to Joy Annette Landis, who survives in Winona Lake.
He will also be lovingly remembered by his son: Derek Lavender, Indianapolis, Ind.; a daughter: Courtney (Caleb) France, Winona Lake; and his grandson: Tennyson France; two sisters: Claire (Rick) Conley and Jackie (Kevin) Landis, both of Cincinnati, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his father; and a daughter: Kelli Joy Lavender.
There will be a come and go Celebration of Life Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at Grace College Gordon Recreation Center on Kings Highway in Winona Lake. A memorial service will be conducted there at 12:30 p.m. Saturday and officiated by Pastor Denny Wilson.
A private family visitation followed by a public graveside service will be conducted on Saturday, Feb. 2, with burial at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw. The procession will leave at 3:15 p.m. from Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Rd., Warsaw.
Memorial donations in Jay’s memory may be directed to Lakeland Christian Academy, 1093 S. 250 E., Winona Lake, IN 46590.