Born December 26, 1940 in Hollywood, California to Earl C. and Harriett (Lambert) Vaupel, he married Madonna D. Saylor on February 14, 1996 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She survives.
Also surviving are five children, Debra (Al) Dix of Washington, Christine Hess of St. Petersburg, Florida, Larry Vaupel, Jr. of Redding, California, Anna (Jim) Vaupel of Seminole, Florida, and Alexandria (Andrew) Jacobson of East Peoria; ten grandchildren, Robert (Susan) Hess of Green Valley, Mitchell Richards of Pekin, Megan (Nick) Pacelli and Nicole (Jake) Dunker, both of Washington, Brandon Hess of St. Petersburg, Florida, Tanner Vaupel of Pontiac, Kelsey Doxsie of St. Petersburg, Florida, Taylor Vaupel and Trevi Vaupel, both of Riverside, California, and Charley Besaw of Seminole, Florida; four great-grandchildren, McKynley, Easton, Aniyah, and Jaxson; and one brother, Don (Jean) Vaupel of Buchanan, Tennessee. He was looking forward to the birth of his eleventh grandchild in January.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant children, Theresa Vaupel and Michael Vaupel; and one brother, Robert “Bob” Vaupel.
Larry worked for Caterpillar, Inc. in Aurora and later at East Peoria for 26 years. He last worked for Key Industries in East Peoria for 18 years, last working as a supervisor in pad printing in 2001. Following retirement, Larry worked at Walmart on Allen Road in Peoria, Lowe’s Home Improvement in East Peoria, and Super Wash in Bartonville and Creve Coeur.
He attended Bethel Memorial United Church of Christ in Creve Coeur.
Larry enjoyed fishing, feeding the squirrels, vacationing in Florida, and making special items out of wood for his family and his yard. He was a fan of NASCAR and followed Dale Earnhardt Sr. and later Dale Earnhardt, Jr. He cherished his family and his special friend and dog, Ernie.
His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 30, 2018 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur. The Rev. Jeff Becker will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday and also from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, both at the funeral home. Burial will be at Woodrow Cemetery in rural Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 TAPS Lane, Pekin, IL 61554 or to the American Heart Association, 2141 West White Oaks Drive, Suite A, Springfield, IL 62704.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
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