Larry W. Timmons

Larry was a graduate of Muncie Central High School. Larry was a member of the Yorktown Methodist Church and United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 499. He started working at a young age and did many odd jobs. Before he began working at New Venture Gear he worked at Whiteflash Gas Station and White’s Grocery Store. Larry retired in 2005 from New Venture Gear after 42 years. He was also a rental property owner for many years.

Larry was a true Renaissance man. He laid carpet for several years and was a self-taught plumber, electrician, carpenter, mechanic and tinkerer. There wasn’t much he couldn’t figure out how to build, fix or repair. He enjoyed bowling, bow hunting, boating, golfing, camping, and building and flying model airplanes. After retirement, Larry could often be found tinkering in his former home-turned-workshop that was dubbed The Blue House. Two of his granddaughters lovingly referred to him as “The Bear in the Blue House.”

Larry and a group of friends once snuck into a Yorktown school record hop, where he met the love of his life, Eileen Browning. They were married at Yorktown Methodist Church on June 6, 1965, surrounded by family and friends. Their marriage lasted 51 years, until Eileen’s passing on February 3, 2017. Toward the end of her life, Larry became her primary caregiver, waiting on her hand and foot and doing whatever she needed. Larry only ever had eyes for Eileen, and his devotion to her never wavered.

Above all, Larry was a family man who loved his family deeply. His grandchildren will fondly remember him riding his tractor down the road to pick them up for rides around the yard, calling two of his granddaughters, “Buttercup,” and wearing his beloved “farmer hat.”

He could never tell his daughter no, which often resulted in yet another stray kitten finding its way into the house. Larry took great pride in his yard and was particular about how it was mowed. There was a right way and a wrong way to do things, and the right way was usually Larry’s way. A huge Elvis fan, he would often perform to his favorite songs and rattle the windows playing vinyl records. He was also known to perform his infamous rain dance, which, despite his best efforts, never seemed to bring any rain.

He could often be found watching an old western or a World War II documentary, usually with a Pabst Blue Ribbon and a cigarette nearby. PBR was his beer of choice for years before he eventually switched to Natural Light, and when his family finally stopped buying him beer, he reluctantly settled for Coca-Cola. Larry loved to grill and cook and was especially known for his delicious pot of green beans, sausage and potatoes. Once a devoted meat-and-potatoes man, his tastes eventually shifted toward candy and honey buns. During his time in the nursing home, Larry even developed a case of “sticky fingers” and became known for helping himself to food from other residents’ plates whenever the opportunity presented itself. Even as his health declined, Larry never lost his personality or his charm and was known to flirt with the nurses who cared for him. Of all the roles he held throughout his life, being a grandfather and great-grandfather brought him tremendous joy. He especially loved and adored his great-grandson, Ronin, who brought him so much happiness in his final 14 months.

Larry will be forever loved by his daughter, Shelli Blankenbaker of Muncie; son Brian (Christina) Timmons of Pennsylvania; four grandchildren, Brandi (Matthew) Harrold of Yorktown, Baylee (Ben) Blankenbaker of North Carolina, Jonathan Timmons of North Carolina, and Megan Timmons (fiancé Kyle Heiser) of Pennsylvania; great-grandson, Ronin Harrold; sister, Marilyn (Dusty) Ritter of Tennessee; sister-in-law, Suzan Miller of Muncie; nephews, Shawn (Deb) Miller, Shane (Carmen) Miller and Travis Ritter; Dan Blankenbaker, who remained very special to Larry; aunt, Barbara Timmons; special friend, Jim (Marilyn) Goforth; and various cousins and special friends.

Waiting to welcome Larry home were his parents, Howard and Charline Timmons; his beloved wife of 51 years, Eileen (Browning) Timmons; brother, Anthony Michael Timmons; grandparents; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Perhaps the most special introduction awaiting him was to his great-granddaughter, Genevieve (Ginny) Marie Avalon Harrold, whom he never had the opportunity to meet in this life. Ginny will now get to become the newest generation of Pappy’s “Buttercup.” Before Larry passed, he was given one final request: ”You spoil Ginny rotten and tell her Mommy loves and misses her.” His family finds comfort in believing that he finally has the chance to do just that.

Family and friends may gather from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM, Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 West Kilgore Avenue, Muncie, Indiana, 47304. A funeral service to honor his life will begin at 1:30 PM.

The family kindly requests that any flowers sent exclude roses due to an allergy.