Larry K. Ruser Sr.

Larry K. Ruser, Sr., 82, of Belleville, IL passed away peacefully of natural causes with his devoted wife by his side on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. He was born on May 15, 1940 in Belleville, IL to Kenneth and Marjorie Ruser.

Larry graduated from Belleville West High School, class of ’58, then obtained his Associates of Fire Science from Belleville Area College. He married the love of his life Beverly on June 15, 1958 in Fulton, MS. In his youth, Larry worked demolition and construction with his father. He joined the Belleville Fire Department Engine House Local #53 in August of 1964. He worked there for 35 years and received several accolades before retiring as captain in April of 1999. Larry was a proud Ainad Shriner and a 32nd degree Mason. He was a member of the Millstadt Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps and played soprano bugle for the Black Knights from 1956-1960. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Ruser & Marjorie (nee Herman) Ruser; father-in-law, John “J.E.” Burchell; mother-in-law, Helen (nee Phillips) Burchell Friedewald and her husband, Fred Friedewald.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 64 years, Beverly (nee Burchell) Ruser; son, Larry (Lisa) Ruser, Jr.; grandchildren, Logan (Marisa) Ruser and Lauren (Taylor) Grady; great-grandchild, Anna Jean Ruser; sister, Jean (Bill) Meckfessel; nephews, Mark (fiancée Diane Conder) Meckfessel, Kurt (Britney) Meckfessel and Kent (Kim) Meckfessel; niece, Mandy (Josh) Wuebbels; plus numerous cousins, extended family, friends and his acquired family at the city of Belleville and Belleville Fire Department.

The family would like to thank Becky, Michelle and Mariah from Promedica Hospice End of Life Care, his caretakers Mary Wilson of Mary PopIns Home Healthcare and special thanks to Alix, Qwest, Reed, Deborah and Melanie aka "Jibber Jabber."

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to Shriners’ Children’s Hospital, Promedica (formerly Heartland) Hospice or the Belleville Fire Department Local #53.

VISITATION: Friends may visit from 1 – 6 PM on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home in Belleville, IL. An additional hour of visitation will take place before the funeral service.

FUNERAL: The service will be at 2 PM on Monday, September 26, 2022 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home with entombment to follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville, IL.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ValhallaGardensandFuneralHome.com for the Ruser family.