Larry DeCleene

Larry "Old Man" DeCleene, 68, De Pere/Green Bay, died unexpectedly on Monday evening, October 17, 2022 following a heart attack. The son of Victor "Vic" and Leona (Patzke), DeCleene was born on March 12, 1954 and raised in De Pere.
Larry graduated from Abbot Pennings High School in 1972 followed by what he called the "UW Tour" attending UW-LaCrosse, UW-Green Bay and ending with a degree in physical education at UW-Oshkosh. On August 19, 1978, Larry married Barbara Noble at Old St. Joseph Church. They went on to spend a career in education together, where Larry taught and coached at Laona Public Schools, Notre Dame of De Pere and finally Green Bay Public Schools. He retired in 2018 after being at Doty Elementary for 26 years.
He will be remembered fondly as a coach to many, spanning nearly every sport at every level. Often Coach DeCleene focused more on fun, less on strategy. He also spent over 20 years running the De Pere Redbirds Basketball Booster Club clinics for 1st-4th graders, totaling over 4,000 future Redbirds.
Larry was the ultimate sports enthusiast, traveling for the 1996 Super Bowl and faithfully following his Packers, Badgers, Phoenix and of course, De Pere Redbird Athletics throughout his life.
His greatest achievement and source of happiness in life without question were his family and friends. He believed he was "Livin' the Dream" because of the incredible quality time he enjoyed with those he loved most. Whether you knew him as "Big Lar," "The Captain," "Mr. D," or his most cherished title given to him by his nieces, nephews and grandkids, "Old Man," you knew he was legendary.
He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 44 years, Barb, his children and their spouses, Charlie (Autumn) DeCleene and Molly (Nate) Vandervest, and his grandchildren who could do no wrong, Madison, Jackson, Alice, George and Michael Gus. He is further survived by siblings Eileen Miller, JoAnn (John) Werner, Bill (Judy) De Cleene, John (Lori) De Cleene, and Vonnie (Larry) Voight. He will also be remembered by siblings-in-law Briggs (Sherry) Noble, Fred Noble, Mary (Rick) King, Drs. Walter (Susan) Noble, Nancy (Joe) Vander Zanden, Richard (Janemarie) Noble, Dr. Gary (Lori) Noble, Chuck (Erin) Noble, Matt (Erin) Noble and brother-in-law Bob Arvey. He also leaves behind his Abbot Pennings "boys" and dozens of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Greeting Larry in heaven will be his parents Vic and Leona De Cleene, sister Vicki Arvey, brother-in-law, Ken Miller, and in-laws Frank and Alice Noble.
Family and friends may visit at St. Norbert College Parish at Old St. Joseph Church from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2022. Visitation will continue at at church at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 21, 2022. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. James Neilson, O.Praem. officiating.
Per Larry's request, attendees for both the visitation and mass are asked to wear their favorite sports gear - Packers, Badgers, Phoenix or Redbirds - just no Bears or Vikings, please.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established in Larry's name.
To view Larry's Mass of Christian Burial, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgcaTNV2neU.