Gregory Van Lawrence, 71, of Homewood, was called to rest on Friday, November 21, 2025. Greg was born on September 8, 1954, in Chicago to Edwin Lawrence and Helen (Giles) Lawrence. He attended Hyde Park High School and transferred to Thornton High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and his M.S. in Education from Chicago State University.
Greg was employed in many positions over the years. Most notably he worked as an alcoholism counselor and the Director of the Intake Unit at Ingalls Memorial Hospital, the Director of Outpatient Services at South Suburban Counsel, and as a college counselor at South Suburban College. His final position was as the Director of Student Development at South Suburban College which he retired from in 2014.
Greg served on the Homewood District 153 School Board from 2005 until 2021. He also recently served as a board member for the Cancer Support Center. For many years, Greg was a member of Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist in Flossmoor where he served on the vestry and as a senior warden.
On June 13, 2008, Greg finally married the love of his life, Susan Antkiewicz (nee Frazier). They spent the last 17 and ½ years together driving each other crazy and making each other laugh. They shared a love of family, friends, traveling, and sports. You could often find them on the sidelines of their grandkids sporting events cheering loudly. Greg was a devoted father and grandpa, loved to cook, and enjoyed watching movies both new and old. He never met a stranger and knew someone everywhere he went, even if he was far away from home. Greg’s big smile and hearty laugh were two of his best features and are going to be missed by all who knew him.
Greg is survived by his loving wife, Susan; children Mitchell and Sarah; stepchildren Sam (Angela) Antkiewicz and Mandy (Mark) Robbins; grandchildren Kylie and Brooke Zieminski, Payton and Sienna Antkiewicz, and Drew, Emma, Izzy, Reese, Molly and Ben Robbins; nephew Anthony “Chris” Lawrence; brothers-in-law Carl (Amy) Frazier and Richard (Barbara) Frazier; lifelong friends Kenneth and Phyllis Shells, Jay Monroe, and Rev. Dewitt Harris; and a host of other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother; his brother and sister-in-law Anthony and Jeanne Lawrence; and his nephew Kevin Lawrence.
Although he will be forever missed, his family is comforted that he is at peace and surrounded by so much love in heaven.
