Lary lived a happy and full life. He spent his childhood years on his grandparents’ farm and was a member of 4H. He attended and graduated from Wethersfield High School in Kewanee. He played the slide trombone in the band, and enjoyed playing football and running track. He served in the United States Army 1968-1971 as a cartographer, and was stationed in Germany. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelors in Cinema and Photography, and worked as an illustrator for Multi-Ad Services in Peoria. He married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Koehler, also of Kewanee. They started 1st grade together and went to senior prom. They also both attended and were married at the Zion Lutheran Church in Kewanee. Lary and Mary celebrated 50 years of marriage this past September.
Lary was an artist who admired his colleagues and encouraged his friends and family. He was passionate about his firearms, and knew the specifications like the back of his hand. He was a member of the Elmwood trap club, enjoyed hunting and fishing, working on home projects, socializing and talking politics, watching John Wayne movies, cooking, and entertaining for all. He had the best sense of humor, occasionally inappropriate and unexpected but got the laughs.
Lary found out he was in kidney failure in 2014, but was given a second chance at life with the selfless gift of a kidney from his ‘blood brother’ Don Parish. He battled meningitis, strokes, and heart disease late in life and some of his last words were of his late sister, Sandy. He is now at peace.
Lary will be greatly missed by wife, Mary Garrett of Elmwood; daughter, Carrie (Marc) Zucco of Rochester IL; son, Adam (Samantha) Garrett of Chicago IL; his four grandchildren, Jack, Molly, Adele, and Lucy Zucco; brother and sister-in-laws, Andy Koehler, Tom (Patty) Koehler, Kristen Parish, Nancy (Todd) Swinderman, and Dick Themanson; as well as beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Lary taught us how to give and how to serve, and when life gets hectic to remember there’s God, family, and then everything else.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Crossroads Assembly of God Church, 615 E. Ash St., Elmwood. A funeral service will then follow at noon at the church.
Memorials may be made to Crossroads Assembly of God Church and B.Y.E. Ambulance.
To view Lary’s video tribute or to leave online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com
Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Elmwood is in charge of arrangements.
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