Larry David Howard, 80, of Washington, Ill., formerly of Lebanon, died 4:29 p.m. Monday, June 27, 2022, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill.
He was born March 17, 1942, in Lebanon, Mo. to the late George and Bessie Benton Howard. He also was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.
On May 27, 1964, he married Brenda J. Sailor in Peoria, Ill.
Larry served in the US Army from 1960-1965. He went on to work at Caterpillar for 30 years, retiring, in 1994 and was a member of UAW Local 974. After retiring, he put his incredible personality to work as greeter and cashier at Kmart. Larry never knew a stranger and always left things better than when he found them. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a professional hugger who loved his St. Louis Cardinals. Larry loved bluegrass music and playing the guitar. He and the Howard Family Band played at countless festivals, churches, and nursing homes over the years.
He is survived by his wife Brenda; his children, Darrell (Lisa) Howard of Washington, Ill. and Cheryl (Greg) Buchanan of Manhattan, Kan.; five grandchildren, Jacob (Britney), Jordan, and Jared Howard and Rachel and Caleb Buchanan; five great-grandchildren, Scarlett, Myla, and Wyatt Austin and Ruth and Marley Howard; sister, JoAnne Cook; and his extended family and friends that he claimed as his own.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, July 1, 2022, at Washington Christian Church in Washington, Ill. where he was a longtime member. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Thomason Cemetery in Wayne City, Ill., under the direction of Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory of Washington, Ill. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Washington Christian Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.
