Larry A. BARRETT

1940 - 2015

Larry A. Barrett

PETERSBURG, IL - Larry A. Barrett, of Petersburg and formerly of Havana, Ill., passed away peacefully on April 18, 2015, at Memorial Hospital in Springfield, Ill., after a long illness.

He was born June 27, 1940, in Jacksonville, Ill., to Merle and Lowell Barrett. He married Karen Barrett on Sept. 2, 1961, in Mason City.

He attended Western Illinois University. He began his working career as a teller at The Havana National Bank in Havana. He then worked for Bonnett Irrigation for four years. He owned and operated Illinois Valley Irrigation, representing Valmont Industries a Global Irrigation Manufacturer in Valley, Neb., from 1969 until his retirement in 2005. During that time he partnered first with the late John Bamburger of Havana and later with the late John Boggs of Manito. He felt privileged to serve the farm community and had high regard for his customers. He was fortunate to have had many good employees over the years. Larry was a VIP Dealer most years and proud to have played a part in the development of center pivot irrigation in Central Illinois.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Havana for 46 years. He joined the United Methodist Church of Petersburg in 2007 after moving to Petersburg. He was also a member of the Havana BOE for 18 years. He belonged to the Havana Jaycees.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Merle Barrett; grandparents, Charles Spurgeon and Nora Barrett, as well as John and Lucille Eilers.

Survivors include his 95 year old father, Lowell Barrett of Chandlerville; his wife of 53 years, Karen; son, Gregg (Shannon) of Bigfork, Mont.; son, Tim (JoAnna) of Austin, Texas; and son, Matt (partner, Larry O'Toole) of Colorado Springs, Colo. A great source of pride and joy were his four grandchildren: Hannah Barrett of Montana, Cooper Barrett of Montana, Tyler Barrett of Texas, and Ryan Barrett of Texas.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation at Hurley Funeral Home in Havana from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 23.

There will be an additional visitation from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, April 24, just prior to the 11 a.m. service at Petersburg United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Petersburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The First Baptist Church of Havana or The United Methodist Church of Petersburg.