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Larry Reeder

November 27, 1938 - December 4, 2017
Augusta, MI

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Visitation

Saturday, December 9, 2017
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene
7520 East U Avenue
Vicksburg, MI 49097

Service

Saturday, December 9, 2017
11:00 AM EST
Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene
7520 East U Avenue
Vicksburg, MI 49097

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Generous Hands
P.O. Box 313
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 370-7965
Web Site

Samaritans Purse
P.O. Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Heirloom Rose
407 S. Grand St.
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
(269) 679-3010
Driving Directions
Web Site

Polderman's Florist & Garden Center
8710 Portage Road
Portage, MI 49002
(269) 327-3656
Driving Directions

Life Story / Obituary


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Larry Reeder lived his life to the fullest. He was friendly, kind, honest, and loved to share his Larryisms, or words of wisdom, over the years. He was never one to join the technology age and preferred to communicate face to face which seemed a little old-fashioned to some, yet Larry was a man of his word. He did everything on a handshake and no one was a truer friend than Larry. He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life and took great satisfaction in knowing that he had taught each and every one of his children how to deer hunt. Sady, he passed during his favorite time of year, just a few weeks after his birthday and before his favorite holiday season. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many special friends and loved ones and his memories will last forever.

In the year 1938, Orson Welles's radio adaptation of The War of the Worlds is broadcast, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs held its Hollywood premiere, and the New England area was hit with a raging hurricane across the Atlantic Ocean. In Schoolcraft, Michigan Rollin and Dorothy (Arnold) Reeder welcomed home their newborn son, Larry, on November 27th. Born the youngest of three sons, his birth brought much happiness to the family home.

Larry lived the "Reeder Legacy" which goes back 5 generations and continues today. The "Reeder Legacy" focuses on love of God and family that was passed down from generation to generation. God was the center of his life. He was kind, honest and a gentle man because of how he and his brothers were raised.

Growing up in the Manton area with a set of farmers for parents, Larry learned the value of a hard day’s work from an early age. Although farming had its rewards, it also had it’s relentless and tiresome days of managing challenging tasks right up until just before sundown. Larry did his fair share of running around the neighborhood and hanging with his buddies at Lake Missaukee, yet cars were an early passion of his as long as they were Fords. He loved to study every make and model and did his best to learn how to repair them or putz with them until they met his standards. When his parents caught word that he was interested in purchasing a car of his own, they taught him the great reward of earning something by working hard and saving up for it. Therefore, Larry raised cattle and sold them in order to buy the car of his dreams.

After graduating from Lake City High School, Larry moved to Galesburg to live with Uncle Orrin and Aunt Frances. Uncle Orrin and Aunt Frances made a big impact on his life. Larry set off for Western Michigan University to pursue a degree, yet his heart was with the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard provided him with many opportunities to practice his skills of repairing and fixing just about anything and making many lasting connections with people. When he was finished with his time serving with the Coast Guard, Larry took up shared ownership of a Marathon Gas Station in Galesburg. It was here, that he would meet the woman of his dreams, Stephanie Pierman. She was a clerk at the local Harding’s Grocery and would often stop in to have her car serviced at the Marathon Station. Set up by mutual friends on a double date, they were lucky in love from their very first meeting! Eager to settle down, they married in a beautiful ceremony on November 23, 1968. Together they raised three wonderful sons; Jon, Thad, and Nat.

He was a fuel oil truck driver for Marvane/Marathon Oil. On his route he met and connected with many people. Larry was a family man through and through. His children fondly remember hanging out at the gas station that Larry called home for more than thirty years. It became the site of many gatherings with friends and a safe haven for each of them during their teen years. As a father, there simply wasn’t anything that Larry wouldn’t do for each of them. He loved showing them the ins and outs of owning a business as well as tinkering with cars together. When the grandchildren Jake, Mitchell, Brooke, Peyton, and Zoey joined the family, he was literally over the moon. They were the light of the world to him and never took a single moment with them for granted. Although he wasn’t much of a cook, Larry enjoyed having everyone over for BBQ. Nothing brought him greater joy than when his family was together sharing stories, laughing at his corny jokes, and reminiscing about days gone by.

In his later years, Larry took time to enjoy his day to day living. His pole barn was his favorite place where he started "Reeder's Relics" and restored antique cars. One of the cars he restored, a Cadillac convertible, was in the Macy Thanksgiving parade. He could not go to a car show or parade without seeing several cars that he had his hands in. He knew everyone at car shows or swap meets. And when he missed his days of farming, he took up gardening and shared his vegetables with his kids and their families. Always one to look on the bright side and see the good in every person he met over the years, Larry was an extraordinary role model to others during a time when thoughtless acts abound. He wanted nothing more than his children and their families to find happiness and share in life’s greatest pleasures. Larry leaves behind a rich collection of laughter, hard work, and sacrifice for others. His family will always remember all he gave for their successes in life and find comfort in knowing that his love for them is eternal.

Larry L. Reeder, of Augusta, passed away on Monday, December 4, 2017, at the age of 79. Larry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Stephanie; three sons: Jon Reeder, of Portage; Thad (Christina) Reeder, of Vicksburg; Nat (Kristi) Reeder, of TN; Five grandchildren: Jake, Mitchell, Brooke, Peyton, and Zoey. He is also survived by two brothers: Wilburt (Jackie) Reeder, of Okemos; R. Kenneth (Pat) Reeder, of Okemos.A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 11 AM at Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene, 7520 East U Ave, Vicksburg. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday beginning at 10 AM. Please visit Larry’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign the guestbook, and share a memory. Those who wish may make contributions to the Samaritan’s Purse and/or Generous Hands.The family is being assisted by the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697.)

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