Larry Deppe

MORTON - Larry D. Deppe, 67, of Morton passed away at 9:23 a.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at Apostolic Christian Restmor in Morton surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born March 7, 1947, in Chester, Ill., to Dale and June (Hetherington) Deppe. He married Elizabeth "Liz" Schaffner on Sept. 27, 1969, in Baldwin, Ill.

Surviving are his wife of Morton; two daughters, Alicia (Kevin) Kavanaugh of Frankfort, Ill., and Lauren Deppe of Morton; two sons, Dr. L. Matthew (Amy) Deppe of Red Wing, Minn., and Nathan (Kari) Deppe of Mahomet, Ill.; 10 grandchildren, Katelyn, Collin, Cameron, Coleman, Carson, Jonah, Anna, Trevor, Eva and Lila; and his mother, June Dewey of Pinckneyville, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Larry graduated in 1968 with a degree in aeronautical administration from Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology, a division of St. Louis University.

He was a United States Air Force veteran, serving during the Vietnam War as a pilot. In 1990, he retired as a lieutenant colonel with the 182nd Tactical Air Support Group of the Illinois Air National Guard in Peoria.

Larry worked as a pilot for Delta Airlines for 27 years. He began his career based in Chicago and later in Cincinnati, Ohio. He retired in 2003 as a captain, flying the Boeing 757 and 767.

He was an active member of Morton United Methodist Church, where he had served as president of the United Methodist Men. He was a faithful participant in Bible Study Fellowship. He also was a member of American Legion Post 318 in Morton. Larry loved the Lord and his family.

He enjoyed traveling with his family, watching movies and pursuing his interests in American history and aviation.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2014, at Morton United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Gary Motta and the Rev. Paul Walles officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today, July 20, and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Monday, both at Morton United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Hirstein Cemetery in Morton, where full military rites will be conducted. Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Morton United Methodist Church Building Fund, 420 N. Tennessee Ave., Morton, IL 61550 or to the Wesley United Methodist Church, 607 W. Pine St., Percy, IL 62272.

To view Larry's video tribute or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.knappjohnson.com.