MELVERN, Kan. – Pamela Kay Lawton, 71, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kan. She was born Aug. 19, 1953, in Greeley, Colo., the daughter of Harry and Darlene (Westphal) Salzman.
Pam grew up in Thornton, Colo., and graduated from Meritt Hutton High School in 1972. She joined the United States Air Force and served for two years.
She worked in the family business as a shoe cobbler for more than 40 years in Thornton and Greeley, Colo. She worked for Osage County, Kansas, in the road and bridge department and the county appraiser’s office. She then worked for Country Critters, in Burlington, Kan., making hand puppets.
She had been a member of True Grace Church, Melvern, Kan.
Pam married Donald Lawton Sr., in October 1983; they divorced in 1993.
Pam was preceded in death by her son, Donald Lawton Jr; and brother, Roland Salzman.
Pam is survived by her son, Harry Salzman. of Melvern; her adopted son, Taylor Masters (Heaven Andrews), Osage City, Kan.; two sisters, Christine Kanatzar, Commerce City, Colo., and Kim Salzman, Melvern; and two step-granddaughters.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, May 8, at Melvern Church of God, 133 N.W. Mayes St., Melvern. Inurnment will be in Colorado at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Pam Lawton Memorial Fund, to defray costs; and sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
