The Rev. Larry L. Lawler, 81, of Bloomington, passed away at 2 a.m. Friday (June 6, 2014) at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Bloomington.Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of life service will be at 2 p.m. July 2 at First United Methodist Church, Normal, with the Rev. Dr. Don Jackson officiating. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home, Bloomington, is assisting with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Baby Fold in Normal or Habitat For Humanity of McLean County.
Larry was born on March 9, 1933, in Decatur, a son to Earl Kenneth and Willa Mae Hilton Lawler. He married Ernestine V. Hanks on Sept. 5, 1954, in Champaign. She survives.
Also surviving are three daughters, Kim (Rick) Ahlgrim-Heine, Edwardsburg, Mich.; Gail (Jay) Smith, DeKalb; and Jill (Jay) Foster, East Peoria; a brother, H. Kenneth (LuAnne) Lawler, Poinciana, Fla.; and seven grandchildren, Allison (Jeremy) Charette, Nathan Ahlgrim, Jenna Smith, Audrey Smith, Owen Smith, Emily Foster and Aaron Foster.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Earl Lawler.
Larry graduated from Champaign High School. He received a degree from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and Garrett Biblical Institute (Garrett Biblical Evangelical Theological Seminary).
He worked as a United Methodist minister at Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference, retiring in 1995 as director of Council on Ministries.
Larry was active in First United Methodist Church in Normal. He enjoyed extensive volunteering at BroMenn and the Bloomington Center of Performing Arts. He enjoyed spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren’s events throughout the years.
Condolences and memories of Larry may be sent at www.kiblerbradyruestman.com.