Published on October 8, 2026 10:04 am
Last Updated on October 8, 2026 10:14 am
Lawrence Aloysius “Larry” Goeckner, 84, of Effingham, IL, died on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at his home. Larry received last rites and passed peacefully with his family present.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in
Effingham. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.
Memorials may be made in loving memory of Larry to Catholic Charities or St. Anthony Schools. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Larry was born on September 9, 1942, in Effingham, IL, the son of Albert and Gertrude (Brummer) Goeckner. He married Trudy Carol Fitts on February 8, 1964, and she preceded him
in death on March 24, 2017. They were married for more than 53 years and were champion disco dancers together.
Larry was a lifetime member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. He graduated from St. Anthony High School in 1960 and then from St. Louis University with a bachelor’s degree in business. Larry worked as a State of Illinois Bank Examiner and retired in 2001. Larry enjoyed vacations in Las Vegas and spending time at Lake Sara and making the lot look nice. He also liked to play card games, go bowling, gamble, listen to Elvis Presley, and watch Fox News. Above all, he loved to spend time with this family. Larry had a beloved companion, Mary Jane Day. They could often be found out on the town and getting McDonald’s milkshakes.
Larry is survived by his sons, Timothy (Brenda) Goeckner of Decatur, Brock (Susan) Goeckner of Effingham, Todd (Noelle) Goeckner of Gladwin, MI, Daniel Goeckner (fiancée, Cheri) of Pahrump, NV, Brett Goeckner of Cleveland, OH, and Joel (Jessica) Goeckner of Altamont; beloved companion, Mary Jane Day; grandchildren, Stephanie, Jeremy (Sara), Jessica, Jennifer,
Kyle, Christopher, Erin (Kaleb), Natalie, Nicholas, Owen (Maddie), Jake, Lucy, Gabe, Robert, Harvey, Julia, Meghan, and Autumn; and great-grandchildren, Conner, Alexa, Chase, Gibson,
and Camden; and siblings, Marge (Mel, deceased) Willenborg, Donald (Jeanie) Goeckner, Connie (Jim, deceased) Broom, Paul (Mary) Goeckner, and Mark (Dawn) Goeckner.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Trudy.