Lawrence E. Swope, Sharon, passed away at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday (8-3-11) in the Coronary Care Unit at UPMC Horizon Hospital, Farrell, following a brief illness. He was 45.

He was born on July 26, 1966 in Pensacola, Fl, the son of John and Valerie Hoffman Swope.

He graduated from Hickory High School and Mercer County Area Vocational- Technical School where he studied diesel mechanics and earned high honors in 1986.

He was currently employed in the maintenance department at Wheatland Steel Processing where he was one of their most valued employees.

He loved fishing, weightlifting, riding dirt bikes, and rooting for his Pittsburgh Steelers. A generous guy, he enjoyed spending time with his family and enjoyed helping those he loved.

He will be sadly missed by his surviving girlfriend, Dee Armeni, Masury, Oh., his two daughters, Chelsea R. Bable, and Brandi M. Dillon, Sharon, his three grandsons, Codi, Cole, and Christian Dillon, his four sisters, Ronda Brooks, Patricia (Ron) Merrell , Darla Bacon, all of Sharon, and Kim Brooks with whom he resided, his brother Mark (Paula) Brooks Amarillo, TX., his step father who raised him, William L. Brooks Jr. of Albertville, Alabama, and his many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, two nieces, Cynthia and Jennifer Richards.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the American Lung Association 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004.

Calling hours and Services: Friends will be received from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday (8-6-11) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St. Sharon where there will be a time to share memories at 6:30 p.m. for his family and friends.

Condolences may be sent to his family by visiting our web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Cremation will follow.