Larry R. Avery

WASHINGTON - Larry R. Avery, 73, of Washington, formerly of East Peoria, passed away and lost his courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia, with his loving family by his side, at 11:35 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2014, at the Apostolic Christian Home in Eureka.Larry was born June 27, 1941, to Roy and Evelyn Crews Avery in Urbana, Ill. He married Sharon Nall on March 25, 1962. She preceded him in death in August of 1985. He then married Beverly Shue Sutton on Sept. 26, 1986, in East Peoria. She survives.Also surviving are his children, Leann (Mitch) Phelps of Indianapolis, Ind., and Kim Sutton Newnam and Eric Sutton, both of East Peoria; six grandchildren, Justin and Nicklaus Phelps, Teryn and Hallie Newnam and Kaylee and Lexie Sutton; and siblings, Russell (Phyllis) Avery of New Windsor and Alan Leon (Lois) Avery of Sherman.Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Sharon; and his son, Brian Avery.Larry grew up in the small community of Black Oak, near Beardstown. At age 6, his family moved to Wickenburg, Ariz. His family then moved to East Peoria, where he started fifth grade at Woodrow Wilson Grade School, and he also attended East Peoria Community High School.Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. In the years to follow, he managed several grocery stores in East Peoria and Peoria. Eventually, he owned and operated his own grocery store in Sunnyland: MacHy Market. Larry then worked 30 years for Clark Products in Peoria as a division president, retiring in 2003.He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in East Peoria. He was a member of the East Peoria Jaycees and served as president in 1973. He was on the planning committee of Leisure Acres in Sunnyland and continued to serve on the board of directors to date. Larry was an avid sportsman and played Kittenball with the East Peoria Jaycees for many years. He played tennis for more than 30 years and also coached Little League baseball and biddy basketball in years past. Larry's family will be forever grateful to the caring and compassionate staff at the nursing home and Methodist Hospice. We could not have made it through this journey without them.A funeral service for Larry will be held Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in East Peoria. Pastor Mary Arnold will officiate. There will be a visitation on Monday, July 21, 2014, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in East Peoria. There will also be a visitation a half hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Interment will be in Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church in East Peoria or St. Jude Midwest Affiliate in Peoria.

Larry R. Avery

June 27, 1941 - July 17, 2014