Clarence Lawler
There are people who simply attend a fair, and then there are those who become part of its very foundation. Today, we pause to honor a man whose dedication and love for the Adams County Fair helped shape not only the fairgrounds, but the memories and traditions cherished by generations of fairgoers.
Clarence was born February 16, 1940, at his family home in rural Loraine to Hoyt and Laura Day Lawler. He was a farmer from the start of life, helping his Dad early on the farm, and later farming on his own. He married Jennifer L. Finlay on November 17, 1963, at the First Congregational Church in Mendon. Together they built a family welcoming their daughter Missy into the world. His great joy in life was his family, and he truly cherished the time he spent with them, as well as the grandchildren that would come in later years.
Clarence was born February 16, 1940, at his family home in rural Loraine to Hoyt and Laura Day Lawler. He was a farmer from the start of life, helping his Dad early on the farm, and later farming on his own. He married Jennifer L. Finlay on November 17, 1963, at the First Congregational Church in Mendon. Together they built a family welcoming their daughter Missy into the world. His great joy in life was his family, and he truly cherished the time he spent with them, as well as the grandchildren that would come in later years.
Clarence led a life of service. He worked hard to serve his friends and neighbors in the Houston Township as their road commissioner. He was also a member of the Centennial Ebeneezer UMC and was a member of the Golden Lions Club.
While he worked tirelessly for many great causes, what many remember about Clarence was his laughter. It was truly contagious. If he was watching a television show or movie and started to laugh, everyone nearby would soon find themselves laughing right along with him. He had a sense of humor that brightened the days of those around him. He took tremendous pride in his responsibilities and was known for his strong work ethic and dedication. In his younger years, he enjoyed bowling, and throughout his life he loved sharing laughter with others by printing out jokes and passing them along to friends, family, his doctors, and their staff. Clarence was naturally curious and enjoyed taking things apart to see how they worked—sometimes even managing to put them back together again. Above all, his greatest love was his family. He treasured his wife, Jenny, his daughter, Missy, and his grandchildren, Jarod & Shea spending time with them brought him the most joy.
While he worked tirelessly for many great causes, what many remember about Clarence was his laughter. It was truly contagious. If he was watching a television show or movie and started to laugh, everyone nearby would soon find themselves laughing right along with him. He had a sense of humor that brightened the days of those around him. He took tremendous pride in his responsibilities and was known for his strong work ethic and dedication. In his younger years, he enjoyed bowling, and throughout his life he loved sharing laughter with others by printing out jokes and passing them along to friends, family, his doctors, and their staff. Clarence was naturally curious and enjoyed taking things apart to see how they worked—sometimes even managing to put them back together again. Above all, his greatest love was his family. He treasured his wife, Jenny, his daughter, Missy, and his grandchildren, Jarod & Shea spending time with them brought him the most joy.
The Adams County Fair was a very important part of Clarence’s life. He began his involvement as a member of the grounds crew and later proudly served as a Fair Board member. The fair was truly a family affair—his wife, Jenny, took vacation from Adams Telephone each year to work in the fair office, and their daughter, Missy, grew up ‘living’ at the fair for a week every summer. Clarence helped select the campers rented for the fair from a local campground near Carthage and looked forward to attending the annual fair convention in Springfield, Illinois, where he helped choose the entertainment for the upcoming year. Some of his fondest memories were made through the friendships, traditions, and service that came with being such an active part of the Adams County Fair
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In fact, Clarence found a second family in the Fair Board and dedicated volunteers. When the fairgrounds had settled down for the night and the crowds were gone, many of the board families would gather outside their campers, enjoying the peace and quiet after a busy day. Some evenings, pizza would be ordered from Quincy, and the board members and their families would share a meal together in the fair office. Every now and then, the entertainers and their band members would stop by and join the gathering, making for unforgettable evenings filled with laughter, friendship, and stories. Those moments of togetherness are memories Clarence and his family will always cherish.
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Family members recall the times Clarence could be seen behind the wheel of a golf cart at the fair with a big smile on his face. He felt a deep sense of ride riding through the fairgrounds he cared for so diligently. He loved being at the fair and took great joy in seeing everything “come together” each year. Some of his daughter’s favorite moments were when he would let her ride along—or even let her take the wheel. Those simple moments spent together at the fair are memories that will be cherished forever.
Clarence loved everything about the Adams County Fair, but the sweet corn feed was always one of his favorite traditions.
Even after health challenges prevented him from attending, his love for the fair never faded. Each year, he had one special request for his family: bring home a bag of kettle corn. He would store it in the freezer and enjoy it a little at a time, making it last as long as possible. It was a simple tradition, but one that kept him connected to a place and a community he loved so dearly.
Even after health challenges prevented him from attending, his love for the fair never faded. Each year, he had one special request for his family: bring home a bag of kettle corn. He would store it in the freezer and enjoy it a little at a time, making it last as long as possible. It was a simple tradition, but one that kept him connected to a place and a community he loved so dearly.
Through his dedication to the fair, Clarence teaches all of us, even today, is the importance of loving and supporting your community and being involved in something that brings joy to others. He believed in giving his time and talents to causes that made a difference, and the Adams County Fair was a perfect example of that. The fair is a cherished tradition in our community, bringing people together year after year, and we are incredibly proud that Clarence played such a meaningful role in its success. His dedication, community spirit, and passion for the fair are lessons and values that will stay with us always.
Clarence’s legacy is one of service, family, community, and kindness. He devoted countless hours to the Adams County Fair, helping create memories and traditions that continue to bring joy to generations of families. He served his community with pride as Road Commissioner. He taught those around him the value of patience, hard work, and dedication, quietly leading by example.
He will also be remembered for the simple things that made him so special—his contagious laughter, his love of visiting with people, his curiosity, and his sense of humor. Through the lives he touched, the friendships he built, and the traditions he helped strengthen, Clarence leaves behind a legacy of love, community spirit. His impact will be felt for years to come, both at the fairgrounds he loved and in the hearts of those who knew him.