Larry G. McElroy's Obituary
Larry G. McElroy, 71, of Camanche, passed away, Thursday, January 11, 2024 at his home.
Funeral Services will be 10:00am Friday, January 19, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church – Clinton. Burial will be in the Prairie Union Cemetery – rural Low Moor, Iowa. Serving as pallbearers will be some of his most treasured friends: Bob Ketelsen, Mark Stuhlman, Richard Kooi, Willie Duncan, Bill Graves, Patrick McManus, and Tim Sachsenmaier. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Zion Lutheran Church. PLEASE wear either Iowa Hawkeye or Chicago Bears attire (but more importantly, dress for the weather) to the visitation and funeral to show support for his favorite sports teams. Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory – Camanche is assisting the family.
Larry George McElroy was born on June 23, 1952 in Clinton, the son of John and Arlene (Bott) McElroy. He was a 1970 graduate of Camanche High School. Larry always looked forward to Camanche Days, where he could reconnect with his high school friends and reminisce about the good ‘ole days. He later received a degree in drafting from Clinton Community College.
He married Roxanne Crosthwaite on June 6, 1992, in Clinton, Iowa. Together they raised two wonderful children and made many happy memories together as a family. Larry was a man of many talents and could do anything! He worked to pass many of those talents onto his son as they worked side by side on numerous projects over the years. Larry shared many special moments with his daughter, Emily, as well. Often sharing their humor in ways only the two of them could understand. Larry was so proud of the people that his children had grown to be.
Larry was employed at various factories in the area, with most of his years being spent at DuPont/Bemis/Clysar. He retired in 2014. Larry still enjoyed getting together with the other retirees to stay caught up on the current happenings. One of Larry’s most memorable work related experiences was being part of a training team that went to France during the summer of 1998.
Larry was a member of the Clinton Gyros and was committed to their ideals every Monday night. Larry enjoyed traveling and took every opportunity given to him to experience something new. His travels included countless fishing trips to Minnesota with his family and friends, spring break trips to Florida with his wife, annual summer trips with his wife, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law; with some of his most favorite destinations being Beartooth Pass in Montana, Yellowstone National Park, Boston, and Maine. He took an annual multi-generational trip to Talladega for a Nascar race, where he shared lots of fun memories with his son’s friends and his own, with very few stories making it back to Camanche. Larry enjoyed boat rides on the Mississippi with his family and friends, often getting sidetracked in Albany for a drink or two. He always looked forward to deer hunting season each winter where his aim, and everyone else’s, was always up for commentary. He also took a lead role in the annual Veteran’s Day fish fry at Hides. He enjoyed watching Iowa Hawkeye games and Chicago Bears games with his friends. “Lucky Larry” will be remembered for the luck that followed him in every gambling opportunity presented. He prided himself on his cooking abilities… especially his chili, biscuits and gravy, fudge, and pies! He looked forward to summer, so patio season could begin. He loved the neighborhood gatherings and he never knew who might stop by for a visit! Larry was a man of few words, but when he did talk, he was sure to present a “one liner” that would get the audience to shake their heads.
Larry is survived by his wife: Roxanne of Camanche; his son: Mitchell McElroy (Alexa Dostal) of Camanche; his daughter: Emily McElroy (Will Seeser) of Camanche; his sister: Luanne (Joe) Carstensen of Camanche and his brother: John (Tammie) McElroy of Clinton; brother- in- law: Phil Ohsann of Camanche; sisters-in-law: Vicki Crosthwaite of California and Debbie (Chris) Feeney of Davenport; brother-in-laws: Kevin (Darla) Crosthwaite of West Branch and Kurt (Tammy) Crosthwaite of Grand Mound; several nieces and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, his sister: Lorna, his mother-in-law, his father-in-law, and a nephew-in-law.
Memorials can be made to the family to be distributed to the annual Uncle Larry’s Fish Fry benefactors and the 3rd Street Flag Project.
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