LAWRENCE — Joseph R. McLaughlin, 88, died April 30 at Brandon Woods at Alvamar, Lawrence. Born March 5, 1923, at Cambridge, Mass., he was the son of Cornelius R. and Louise D. (Gerry) McLaughlin. He married Grace McCarthy on Feb. 2, 1946, at Hays. She died Jan. 9, 1999. He married Bernice Alexander on Sept. 30, 2006, at Lawrence. He retired as Stafford Postmaster in 1983. He was a Lawrence resident, coming from Great Bend.

He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II.

Mr. McLaughlin was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Lawrence; and a life member of American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a long-time member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Great Bend.

Survivors include his wife Bernice, of the home; five sons, Kenneth M. McLaughlin and wife Arlinda of Pinedale, Wyo., Donald R. McLaughlin of Great Bend, Lawrence E. McLaughlin and wife Sharon of Phoenix, Ariz., Daniel J. McLaughlin and wife Julie of Olathe, and Patrick C. McLaughlin of Overland Park; one daughter: Kathleen A. McLaughlin-Rathbun and husband John of Lawrence; two sisters, Mary Skipton of Rockville, Md., and Regina Quinn of Danville, Ohio; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Charles McLaughlin, John McLaughlin, Francis McLaughlin, Paul McLaughlin and Edward McLaughlin; and one sister, Margaret Moeder.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence. Graveside service will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Great Bend Cemetery in Great Bend, with military rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. Friday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Donations to a memorial fund for Corpus Christi Catholic Church or Prince of Peace Parish may be made in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.