Larry Wentz

1945 - 2025

Larry Wentz, beloved father, veteran, craftsman, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2025 at the age of 79, after battling pancreatic cancer for over a year and a half with quiet strength and unwavering courage.
Born on July 30, 1945, in Tecumseh, Nebraska, Larry was raised in the small town of Sterling, where he worked on the family farm and helped out with the family feed business. As a proud Nebraska native, he was a lifelong Cornhuskers football fan-even through the rougher seasons in recent years. Go Big Red!
He attended Wayne State College in Wayne, NE before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1966. Larry served honorably, spending 13 months stationed at Chu Lai Air Base in Vietnam. It was during his service stateside at NAS Jacksonville in 1968 that he met the love of his life, Nancy. They were married in 1970 and shared 49 wonderful years together before her passing in 2019.
After returning from Vietnam, Larry began a long career in the agriculture and fertilizer industry. He and Nancy settled in St. Joseph, Missouri, where they spent 30 years and raised their two sons, Brian and Justin.
Larry retired from ConAgra in 2005, and later that year he and Nancy moved to Fernandina Beach, Florida, returning to the place Nancy had grown up and always loved. Never one to sit still, Larry took up woodworking and turned it into a second passion. His beautifully crafted salt and pepper mills and coffee grinders became a staple at local craft shows in Fernandina and across the Southeast.
A natural storyteller, Larry never met a stranger. His kind heart, easygoing spirit, and generosity touched everyone he met. He was the kind of person who made everyone feel like family, and he will be missed deeply by all who knew him.
Larry is survived by his sons, Brian Wentz (Heather) of Longboat Key, FL, and Justin Wentz (Emily Riddle) of Fernandina Beach, FL; his brothers, Donald Wentz and Kenneth Wentz (Ardis), both of Sterling, and David Wentz (Eileen) of Columbus, NE; and his sisters, Delores Cooper (Don) of Firth, NE, and Linda Goracke (John) of Tecumseh, NE.
He is also survived by a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and other loved ones who will miss him dearly.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Rather than flowers, donations may be made in Larry's name to American Legion Post 54 in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Semper Fi, Marine-you served your country and your family with honor.