He graduated from Melbourne Community Schools in 1959. After high school, he went on to Lakeland University in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and graduated with a degree in sociology in 1963.

He married his loving wife, Mary Koehler, on September 29, 1962 in Dubuque, Iowa.

After graduation, he worked for the State of Iowa for 3 years. He then had an opportunity to return to the family farm and was engaged in agriculture for 50 years.

Larry was a very active person and enjoyed life to the fullest, including playing golf, bowling and softball. He was actively involved in community organizations and was a 50-year member of St. John United Church of Christ in Melbourne, Iowa. At the time of his passing, he was a member of the First Congregational Church of Benzonia United Church of Christ. Larry enjoyed country music, especially Johnny Cash and the Oak Ridge Boys. He was a lifelong, avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

He leaves behind a loving wife, 4 children: Heidi Mayer, of Marshalltown; Chris (Rita), of Austin, Texas; Mike (Judy), of Marshalltown; and Sara (Brian) Moorhead, of Empire, Michigan; 5 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; a sister, Yvonne (Bill) Fry; a niece and 4 nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, a nephew and a niece.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Larry’s memory can be made to First Congregational Church of Benzonia United Church of Christ, 901 Barber St., PO Box 234, Benzonia, MI 49616, or Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, 2804 Benzie Highway, PO Box 93, Benzonia, MI, 49616.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, September 6 at 3 PM at First Congregational Church of Benzonia United Church of Christ. The family will host a visitation at the church beginning at 2 PM that day. The service will also be live streamed on the church’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BenzoniaCongregational.