Larry L. Clevenger, 84, of Rockford, IL, passed away peacefully, Tuesday morning, January 24, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 27, 1938 in Amboy, IL, the son of James and Eva (Reynolds) Clevenger, Sr. Larry proudly served in the United States Navy from 1957-1961. He married his sweetheart, Mary Lou Billman on August 14, 1960 in New Milford, IL. Larry was proudly employed for Com Ed for 33 years and went on to teach welding and was a lab tech for over 20 years at Rock Valley College. Larry was a member of Cherry Valley United Methodist Church, the American Welding Society and a former Boy Scout Leader of Troop #40. He was a regular of the Smoke Brothers and 11th Street Coffee Club. Larry was a skilled welder who was proud to have volunteered his time with the restoration of the USS LST 325 in Evansville, IN and the USS Laffey in Mt. Pleasant, SC. He enjoyed his 1956 Ford pick up for 62 years, tinkering with cars, small engines and being the equipment consultant for MMX and Standard Spring. Most of all, Larry was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Larry is loved and missed by his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou; sons, Noel (Lori), Scott (Julie), Aric (Paula), and Jason (Jane); grandchildren, Kyla (Pete), Colton, Logan, Cade, Lukas, Zaida (Paris) and Zane; great-grandchildren, Rory, Ellery, Declan, Zara, Daegan and baby boy, Zavier due in April; brother, Charles (Immy); sister-in-law, Sandra; special niece, Malinda (Todd) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Madge, Mary Alice, Connie and brothers Jim and Frank.
A visitation will be held from 10-12 p.m., Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Rd, Machesney Park, IL 61115 with a funeral service to begin at 12:00 p.m. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the USS LST- 325 organization at LSTMemorial.org in Larry’s name.
The family wishes for attire to be casual, please wear the color navy or your U.S. Military attire in Larry’s memory.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfhmemgardens.com for the Clevenger family.
