Obituaries
John Franklin Lavelle, 84
January 20, 2019
John Franklin Lavelle, of Lancaster, died peacefully on January 20, 2019 at Hospice & Community Care in Mount Joy. He would have been 85 this January.
He was born in Minneapolis, MN to the late John Joseph and Evelyn Cartwright Lavelle. He was the loving husband of Margaret Ann Lavelle, sharing 61 years of marriage.
John was a scholar, a teacher, a mathematician, a father, grandfather and great grandfather. He received his doctorate in Mathematics with a specialty in algebraic number theory from Penn State University. He pursued his career as a Professor of Math and Computer Science at Millersville University, retiring after 35 years in 1994. He lived and taught for a short period in England as well.
John was an avid golfer, bridge and chess player, often going to tournaments. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife to destinations such as Russia and China.
John was a member of St. Philip The Apostle Catholic Church.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, is a daughter, Julie A. married to Jerry M. Miller, and a son, Gregory H. married to Athena C. Lavelle. He has three grandchildren: Kurtis M. Miller married to Izabela, Kristin Miller Biagio married to Nicholas Biagio, and Madeline G. Lavelle, and 2 great grandchildren Gabriel Miller and Brynna Biagio. He was preceded in death by his son, John Arthur Lavelle and his brother, George Cartwright Lavelle.
Friends will be received at St. Philip The Apostle Catholic Church, 2111 Millersville Pike, Lancaster, PA on Friday, January 25, 2019 from 10-11AM, with the Mass to follow at 11AM. Interment in Millersville Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in John’s memory to Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.
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Condolences to the Family
January 21, 2025
To he family of Mr. Lavelle,
This message is very much too late and I am sorry. John was my advisor when I was seeking my Bachelors degree in the early 70’s. We were also very good friends. He helped and supported me when my father died in the middle of my studies and he was in my wedding party when I was married in 1974. I had reason to look him up since my wife passed away on 29 December 2024. I found a picture of the wedding party recently which included John. John was a great man. He was a wonderful mathematician and teacher of mathematics. He was my mentor and I wanted to be like him so very much. We moved to Boston in 1994 and I continued my studies at Northeastern Univ. I ultimately obtained a position at MIT’s Draper lab and remained ther until retirement. My success is directly due to Mr. John Lavelle.
Raymond Magee
February 27, 2019
2-24-19
Dear Midge:
So sorry to hear the sad news about Frank, my life-long best friend! All through
grade school, then high school and later at St. John’s, where I ran out of money!
After a brief work spell at the Great Northern Depot, loading mail sacks on trains, the Korea War was on, so I walked over to the Armory, volunteered for the draft, hoping the GI Bill would help pay for my schooling (assuming I survived and made it back home).
I remember vividly a woman at the Armory saying, “Well, how old are you?”
Standing tall I defiantly said, “Well, I’m 18!”
She said, “Sorry, we’re only taking 19-year-olds!”
After her refusal, I quickly said, “Wait, a minute, my 19th birthday is coming up!”
The rest is history. I was flown to Camp Roberts, CA, in the heart of the San Jaochim Valley, half way between ‘Frisco & LA. After four months basic, I came back to MinneSNOWta, got married, then drove back to CA for Leadership School. Graduating after a few months, I drove Donna home to Lincoln, NE, where her folks had moved while we were in CA. Then I got a free hop on a B-25 bomber back to ‘Frisco, reporting to Camp Stoneman for shipment to Korea. On and on the story goes, so I’ll save some for another time.
Hope you’ve been able to survive the tragedy of Frank’s passing. I miss him, too! We were such good friends over the years. Thanks to you, especially, for
taking the time to tell me the sad news. I will always be grateful!
God bless you and keep you in His care always!
Don Montgomery
3330 Edinborough Way, Apt 1313
Edina, MN 55435
January 27, 2019
Back in the fall of 1972 in my Senior Year as a Math Major at Millersville, I had a life changing experience with Dr. Lavelle that I will never forget. I wanted to thank him personally since I have just retired for the career that I ultimately pursued was because of him guiding me in the right direction. I am celebrating his life legacy along with many other people that he has touched throughout his life. Midge and all of the family members: You are in our prayers. Dean Gianopoulos ’73 (Becky and Nick)
January 27, 2019
Goodbye old friend, be at peace with God! We met at the Lancaster Chess Club way back in the1960s, had many a good cigar and glass of porter together as we tried mayhem on each other over a chess board. Social gatherings with friends and families where arguments could be about politics, philosophy, baseball or anything in between. Often loud but always good natured. Thanks for the memories, you helped to make the world a more pleasant place. Midge and family we grieve too, you are in our prayers.
John & Terry Townend
January 25, 2019
John was a very loving, kind person. John was one of my professors in the Math Department, always had a smile, good morning and kind word to everyone. He was wonderful to work with and I missed him after I retired in 2004. Never seen him angry, always happy. John and his wife Midge were some of my favorite people when I worked in the Math Department. Elizabeth (Betty) Counts
January 23, 2019
John was one of my wonderful math profs at Millerville State Teachers College. Though I have forgotten the name(s) of the course(s), I will long remember his kind, pleasant and contented personality. One of a kind. Met him years later, and he was the same lovely person. Denny Weber
January 23, 2019
My condolences to the family.
I had Dr. Lavelle at Millersville University and he was my favorite professor.
Sincerely,
Stuart A. Brosey (class of ’88)
January 23, 2019
My deepest sympathies to you, Greg, and your family, on the passing of your father. Fran Haldeman
- Visitation
- Friday, January 25, 2019
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- St. Philip The Apostle Catholic Church
- 2111 Millersville Pike
- Lancaster, PA
- Map and Directions
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Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Friday, January 25, 2019
- 11:00 AM
- St. Philip The Apostle Catholic Church
- 2111 Millersville Pike
- Lancaster, PA
- Map and Directions
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