Lawrence "Larry" Edward Beary Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Lawrence “Larry” Edward Beary, age 91, of Lovilia, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at the West Ridge Specialty Care Center in Knoxville. Larry was born in Cedar Township near Weller on September 4, 1930 the 1st of seven children of Walter E. and Mary Garnet (Hackathorn) Beary. He attended Oak Dale country school and graduated from Lovilia High School in 1948. For a time he lived with and worked for his uncles, Jim and Leo Beary, on their farm. The day he graduated from high school, Larry went to the Albia airport and signed up to take flying lessons. He earned his private pilot’s license in 1949. He loved to fly and for years went to flight breakfasts with friends, Wayne and Janet Westberg, at the Knoxville airport until health problems prevented him from doing so. Later, Larry volunteered at the airport to man the office, mow the grass in the summer and push the snow in the winter which kept him in touch with airport friends. On August 9, 1952 at St. Mary’s Church in Albia, he was united in marriage to Joan Marlin. They shared 70 years of marriage and were blessed with five children: Kathleen, David, Christine, Randy, and Scott. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1955. At Lackland Air Force Base he was trained as an atomic blast first responder. The University of Alabama prepared for his job as non-commissioned officer in charge of airman’s section at wing level on Mac Dill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. While there he was deployed temporary duty to England and Morocco. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sargent within two years of his enlistment. In 1955 he was selected as outstanding non-commissioned officer of the headquarters squadron of the 306 Bomb Wing from January 1 to June 6. Upon his discharge, the family returned to Iowa to farm in Monroe, Marion, and Lucas counties. Kathleen and David were born in Florida. He was a member of the Albia Lads and Lassies Square Dance Club, Albia American Legion, and St Mary’s Catholic Church in Weller and Albia. He was a trustee at St Mary’s Church in Weller and after its closing served on the Weller Cemetery Board. Whether you wanted to play cards, go for an airplane ride, roller skate, or go to a dance he was always a willing participant. His grandchildren would not let him deal the cards because they said he always won when he was the dealer. He was a good steward of his farmland building up the soil and using conservation practices. Besides farming his own land on the family farm, he also rented additional farm land and did a lot of custom combining for others. At times throughout the years he raised sheep, hogs, horses, and especially liked working with his cow-calf herds. He was always there to help a neighbor. His great grandparents, Daniel and Anna Beary, immigrated to America from County Cork, Ireland, and Larry was always very proud of his Irish heritage. He is survived by his wife, Joan; children, Kathleen (Bruce) Baumbaugh, David Beary, Christine (Bill) Lanphier, Randy (Tina) Beary, and Scott Beary, 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Joyce Koffman and Helen Williams; 3 sisters-in-law, Georgina Beary, Betty Beary and Kay(Larry) DeVos; and 4 brothers-in-law, Ernie Corso, John Marlin, Don (Jeany) Marlin and Wayne (Candace) Marlin. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Mary Beary; 2 brothers, Walt Beary and Jerome Beary; 2 sisters, Pauline Claman and Loretta Corso; brothers-in-law, Pete Williams, Jim Baker, Leland Bettis, Lawrence Amoss, Alex Koffman, and Bob Claman; sisters-in-law, Darlene Amoss, Jayne Hughell, Hazel Baker, and Lelah Marlin; and parents-in-law, John and Mildred Marlin. Visitation will be held from 3:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Larry’s family present from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. to greet family and friends. A Rosary led by St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society will be held at 4:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 27, 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia, with Father Mark Yates C.PP.S. officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the American Legion of Albia, Melrose and Lovilia will follow services at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Weller. A memorial has been established to St. Mary’s Cemetery Weller.

Lawrence "Larry" Edward Beary

September 4, 1930 - June 21, 2022