Larry E. Brown (84) of Lake Sara

Larry E. Brown, 84, died peacefully at his Lake Sara home with his family by his side Friday, April 30, 2021 at 3:30 am. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in Oakridge Cemetery with military graveside rites. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, May 3, 2021 at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Effingham County Courthouse Museum or The Lake Sara Forever Foundation. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here. 

Born November 5, 1936, Larry was the oldest of eight boys born to Gene and Doris (Rathgeber) Brown. He married Betty Bushue August 22, 1959, and the couple raised 2 children in Effingham.  

Larry entered the Army in 1956-58 and served with honor in Korea. After marrying Betty, he worked as a police officer in Effingham for 4 years and retired from the force. Following this, Larry managed Montgomery Ward stores in Effingham, IL; Covington, KY; and Indianapolis, IN, ending his career as District Manager. Upon Montgomery Ward's catalog store closings, Larry became a Marketing Director then Human Resources Manager for PSI. He stayed busy in retirement by starting a landscaping business after earning his certification as a Master Gardener, delivering flowers for Burkland's Florist and Gifts and also driving a school bus for both Effingham and Teutopolis school districts. On December 29, 2016, Larry retired from an active, 60-year career with the Boy Scouts. He took pride in assisting as a Scoutmaster. He liked to work with his hands, teaching his grandchildren to make birdhouses and spending many days helping with the renovations at the Effingham County Courthouse Museum.  

On a warm, summer day, you could find Larry slowly puttering around on his float boat and listening to Elvis with his family and friends by his side. He enjoyed tending to his lawn and participating in friendly banter with his neighbor, Dick Kabbes, over whose yard looked best. His family will always remember him with a smile on his face and a contagious laugh. He was often found surrounded by his giggling grandchildren, who call him Grandpa, Poppy, and Big Poppy. 

Larry is survived by his wife; children: Cheryl (Jerry) Habing and Rob Brown; grandchildren: Ali (Chris) Etter, Erin Habing, Madelyn Brown, and Drake Brown; great-grandson, Henry Hille and Baby Girl Etter expected in June; brothers: Galen, Gerry (Angela), Noble, Lynn (Carolyn), Dennis and Royce; sisters-in-law: Betty K. Brown and Glenda Smith; brother-in-law, Mark Hayden.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law, Ray and Marie Bushue; brother, Ron; sisters-in-law: Dotti Hayden, Lolita Brown, Sara Brown, Norma Hawickhorst; brothers-in-law: Jerry Hawickhorst and Bob Smith; and niece, Kelly Brown.