Larry Smith
Batchtown |
Larry Alonson Smith, 84, of Batchtown, Illinois, passed away peacefully at Calhoun Nursing and Rehab in Hardin, Illinois, at 2 a.m., Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
He was born on March 15, 1940, in Batchtown and was the second of six children born to the late George and Geraldine (Coughlin) Smith.
Larry spent the first 14 years of his life in Batchtown. In 1954, the family moved to The San Fernando Valley, California. Larry attended Pacoima Junior High and High School, where he befriended the late Rock and Roll legend, Richie Valens, known for his hits Donna and LaBamba. Although he never finished high school, Larry had an incredible and unique way with numbers and mathematics and a love for history.
In 1962, Larry married Shirley Volpe and together they had two sons, William James and Derek Vincent. They divorced in 1973. Larry returned to Batchtown in 1973 and in 1974 he met another Shirley, and they fell in love and were married in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 28, 1974, joining two families together. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this coming December.
For several years, Larry worked for Bach and Sons Ball Bering in California. When he returned to Batchtown, he discovered his love and passion of being on the river as a commercial fisherman. Larry knitted trammel nets and hoop nets by hand, which is a lost ancestral trade. Larry was a true outdoorsman. Besides fishing, he was a hunter and trapper. Larry was a fantastic cook and was especially known for his fish frying skills, good stews, soups, and chili. Larry was a man of few words, and was known for his one liner wisdoms, which his children fondly called, “Larryisms”. Larry and Shirley owned and operated the Meppen Tavern aka “Blue Room” from 1987-1992. After retirement, Larry mended nets for commercial fisherman, helped his wife make crafts by cutting wood with a scroll saw, listened to his vast album collection, and genuinely enjoyed the simple life.
Larry is survived by his wife, Shirley (Follis) Smith; his six children and their spouses, William (Amy) Smith of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Derek (friend Marlene) Smith of Rosemead, California, Shirlene (David) Wallace of Hazelwood, Missouri, Connie (John) Ritter of Jerseyville, Scott Coughlin of Jerseyville and Marcus (Christine) Bridges of Troy, Illinois; thirteen grandchildren, Shawn Smith, Jessica Smith, Roger Sellars, Steven Sellars, Laura Prater, Jacob Wallace, Sean Ritter, Mackenzie Ritter, Carlton Coughlin, Richie Stark, Collin Stark, Maurah Stahl and Christopher Bridges; ten great grandchildren; one brother and sister in-law, Thomas and Susan Smith of Jerseyville; a sister in-law, Pamela Smith of Litchfield; cousin, Mick and Connie Couhlin of Bullhead City, Arizona, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Dennis Smith, Jack (Jill) Smith, Linda (Clyde) Bunker, Kim Smith; as well as one great grandchild.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Straight home Bar and Grill in Hardin, Illinois 62047 on Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 12–4 p.m.
Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com
Crawford Funeral Home