Larry L. Ensign (77) of Effingham

Larry L. Ensign, 77, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Effingham.

Private family services will be held. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Effingham. Arrangements are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children or Boy Scouts of America and can be received at Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. Fourth Street, Effingham, IL 62401. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Larry was born on April 9, 1943, in Decatur, IL, the son of Robert H. Ensign and Wanda Lee (Farris) Ensign. He married Jeri Sue Cox on August 29, 1965.

Larry was employed by Quebecor World / World Color Press for 37 years, retiring as the manager of Postal Planning / Corporate Postal Affairs. In his time at Quebecor World, he began working with the local credit union which resulted in him serving as Chairman of the Board for the Land of Lincoln Credit Union. This later lead him to start a second career as the Business Development Manager for the Land of Lincoln Credit Union. Larry enjoyed developing life-long bonds with the people he worked with and met through both companies.

Larry was an active member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Effingham, a member of the Ainad Shrine Temple, a member of the Effingham Rotary Club and a leader for Boy Scouts of America Troop # 136. He was also a member of the Illinois Freemasons Lodge # 149 in Effingham where he held several offices including secretary and Worshipful Master of the lodge. For several years, he drove in the Original Fire Patrol with the Shrine taking part in several summer parades. Larry enjoyed being outside and was an avid gardener, earning the title of Master Gardener through the University of Illinois Extension Office. One of his favorite past-times was to grow things in his greenhouse almost year-round. Larry believed that planting seeds grew blessings and that you should always leave your worries at the garden. Larry was president of Partner’s Investment Club (PIC) and Group Securities Investment Club (GSIC) which got him hooked on analyzing the stock market. He was also hooked on channel surfing multiple sports games at once and watching shows and documentaries on wilderness and travel.

Larry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jeri Sue Ensign of Effingham; children, Steven Michael Ensign (wife, Jodi) of Pittsboro, IN and Cynthia Ann (Ensign) Mueller (fiancé, Joe Wright) of Mattoon, IL and mother, Wanda Lee (Farris) Ensign of Newton, IL; sister, Roberta Ensign of Oklahoma; brother, Rodger Ensign of Pawnee, OK; sister, Donna Woods (husband, Jerry) of Newton, IL; and brother, Jeffrey Ensign (wife, Amy) of Bloomington, IL. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Kelsey Ensign (fiancé, Cody Horn) of Whitestown, IN, Zachary Ensign (fiancée, Shannon Cruzer) of Florissant, MO, Sarah Mueller of Altamont, IL, and Braeden Ensign of Pittsboro, IN; and 4-legged companion, Muffin.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert H Ensign and his in-laws, Lee and LaVera (Grigg) Cox.

The family wishes to thank the Crossroads Cancer Center and the 6th floor nurses at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital.