Lawrence “Larry” Buhr
d. February 10, 2021
Lawrence “Larry” Buhr, age 79, of Athens, Ill., received his crown of glory on Monday, February 8, 2021, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
Larry was born October 14, 1941, in Athens, the son of Raymond and Velma (Fawns) Buhr. A dedicated servant to his hometown, Larry served the City of Athens as Ward 2 Alderman for the past 24 years, member of the Athens Community Park Board, volunteered at Athens Area Food Pantry and was a lifelong member of Athens Lions Club, regularly playing the role of Santa for the annual Toys for Angels drive and for the Athens Fire Department.
He married Katherine Ann Davis in 1963. She preceded him in death on April 27, 1996. He later married Holly Henning on June 14, 1997, in Sherman.
Mourning his passing are his wife, Holly of Athens; daughter Michele (Mark) Stott of Cantrall; step-daughters Heather (Roger) DeHart of Ocean Springs, Miss., and Heidi (Chris) Chambers of Downs; grandchildren Evan, Brynne, Barrett, Clayton and Colson; niece, Donna (Ronald) Gillette; one great niece and nephew and more friends than stars in the sky.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother James; and nephew David.
Upon graduation from Athens High School, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Army before becoming a professional truck driver for 50 years for Leroy Donley, Bunn Capital and FedEx Freight. A car, truck and John Deere lawn tractor shopper extraordinaire, his love of driving, fast cars and trucks led to a feature photo of his truck “burning out” in Street Machine magazine, and later a job at S&K Buick GMC in his retirement.
An enthusiast of all sports, especially NASCAR, the New York Yankees and Illinois State Redbirds, for many years Larry could be found on the field playing softball, coaching or umpiring. In winter months, he was a longtime basketball referee for events ranging from elementary and high school games to the IESA state finals and even working several games for the Harlem Globetrotters.
A man who lived and loved life to the fullest with a personality larger than life, he never met a stranger. Anyone driving past his house could count on a smile and a wave. A devoted friend to all and the “best Grandpa in the whole wide world,” Larry was a lot of love and fun in one wonderful person.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Athens Christian Church. Funeral service will begin at 12:30 p.m. with Rev. Paul Hemenway officiating. Burial will be at Joel Hall Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Pet Central Helps or the Athens Area Food Pantry.
If you would like to virtually attend Larry’s service, you may visit Mott & Henning’s Facebook page where it will be shown live at 12:30 PM on Saturday, February 13th.
Mott & Henning Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.mottandhenning.com.
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Posted February 10th, 2021 at 10:16 am
Holly, Michele and family,
John and I are heartbroken for your family, We loved Larry he was such a warm and outgoing person who took me under his wing when I was on the City Council. He was one of a kind and I am blessed to have known him. Prayers to the family for peace and comfort during this time.
Love,
John and Anita
Posted February 10th, 2021 at 11:25 am
Alberta and I both send our condolences and prayers. I knew Larry really well while I was coaching basketball at Athens High School. He was always a very conscience official and did a really good job. He will be missed by
everyone who knew him because of his great personality.
Posted February 10th, 2021 at 12:24 pm
Holly and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Larry and I were classmates at Athens High. What a personality! He loved life and lived it to the fullest..Larry was a great friend and he will surely be missed by all who knew him.
Posted February 10th, 2021 at 5:25 pm
Holly and family,
Thoughts and prayers at this time, Larry was a man full of life who always took time for others, he will always be missed never forgotten.
ron and marilyn schwabe
Posted February 10th, 2021 at 6:08 pm
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Larry. My thoughts and prayers are with Holly, Michelle and family.
Posted February 10th, 2021 at 8:19 pm
Michele, Evan, and family,
Thinking of you all during this time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers! He was a great man that always knew how to make me smile.
Posted February 10th, 2021 at 8:22 pm
So sorry for your loss. Larry was one of a kind. He always had a smile and a kind word. He will be missed.
Posted February 10th, 2021 at 11:54 pm
Holly and family,
Walt and I send our deepest sympathy for the loss of Larry. His smiling face will be truly missed by all who knew him.
We will be keeping all of you in our prayers during this difficult time. God Bless each of you. Larry will be smiling down on all of you from Heaven.
Marj Schwager
Posted February 11th, 2021 at 8:22 am
We were so saddened to hear of Larry’s passing. He meant a lot to both of us. He never met a stranger. Larry and Jerry were classmates and Jerry starting high school from Fancy Prairie, they quickly became friends and Larry was so welcoming. Larry was a great athlete and Marlene was a cheerleader for him for 2 years. He had a nickname for Marlene which was “twinkle toes”. His legacy will live on forever. We will keep Holly and family in our thoughts and prayers.
Jerry and Marlene
Posted February 11th, 2021 at 9:21 am
Holly and Family, please accept our deepest sympathy and prayers through this difficult time. Larry was always so upbeat and full of life and we know how difficult this is for you. We continue to hold you in our prayers hoping for brighter days ahead, and for the pain of this difficult time to diminish where only the warmth of good memories remain.
Lambert and Kathy
Posted February 11th, 2021 at 12:42 pm
I went to school with Larry & Jim. I don’t think we ever say Larry without a smile. Holly & family has our sympathy.
Posted February 11th, 2021 at 7:40 pm
I’m sorry to hear of Larry’s passing, I did not know Larry a long time, but he always had a friendly smile and kind word. God speed my friend
Posted February 11th, 2021 at 7:46 pm
Holly and family
My sincere condolences for the loss of your husband. I didn’t know Larry, but by seeing your girls and grandkids in your pictures that you shared, you could tell Larry was loved so much by your family. The angels have received a great guy.
May God give you peace at this difficult time.
Flo
Posted February 11th, 2021 at 9:53 pm
Sincere condolences . What a great guy.
Posted February 12th, 2021 at 7:33 am
Sorry to here of Larry’s passing. Larry played with Jim Carter’s Country Companies softball team back in the day. We nicknamed him Bake after the Cardinals’ Bake McBride. I still call him Bake. It could be said that they both possessed deceptive speed. Larry’s was a little more deceptive. I always enjoyed talking to Bake whenever our paths crossed.
Posted February 12th, 2021 at 9:08 am
Holly please accept our deepest sympathy for the loss of Larry. He will always be remembered for his service to his community, his dedication to local sports, and as a warm and friendly person.
Larry & Mary Lois Hughes
Posted February 12th, 2021 at 9:12 am
What a great loss to your family and the Athens community.
On behalf of your Ingram family cousins, please accept our condolences.
Children and grandchildren of Thurman Ingram, Sr.
Larry’s Athens High School senior yearbook will statement:
I, Larry Buhr, bequeath my height to Carl Stott and my Kansas City baseball contract to Bill Babbs.
(Carl is Larry’s Fawns cousin and Jeff Stott’s father.)
Posted February 12th, 2021 at 5:38 pm
Our sincere condolences to Holly, Michelle, Evan and all of the Davis Family.
While the Cassady’s only came down to visit our Davis Cousins once a year on Labor Day, Larry was truly a part of our family.
Tremendous memories of Larry playing full-contact volleyball, croquet and euchre. We will cherish the memory of his great smile and unique laugh. We loved him very much.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted February 13th, 2021 at 8:32 am
HOLLY & FAMILY ..I WAS SORRY RO HEAR ABOUT LARRY`S PASSING HIM AND I WOULD VISIT BEFOR THE CITY MEETINGS AND THEY WERE ALWAYS INTERESTING AND SOMETIMES EDUCATIONAL..THE WA ALWAYS HAPPY AND FUNNY,,WE WILL MISS HIM AS EVERYONE GOD BLESS YOU AND FAMILY AGAIN SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
Posted February 13th, 2021 at 10:53 am
Holly, Heidi and all,
Our thoughts and prayers have been with you all and will continue. Your faith will guide you and allow you to accept Larry’s passing.and know he is in a much better place.
I’m sorry we couldn’t be with you today…but we will be online.
God Bless you and so sorry for your loss.
Posted February 13th, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Holly, Michelle and Family. It came as a shock to hear of Larry’s passing. We’ll always remember his smiling face and his cheery hellos.
Phil & Theresa Brown
Posted February 13th, 2021 at 1:42 pm
Jack and I very sorry to hear of the loss of a community leader, friend to all and someone that always made you smile. I grew-up do we n the street from Larry. He was always one to take time to either play ball or acknowledge our local ball games at the American Legion Park . Taught us a few things and we always enjoyed him joining us along with Carl Stott. Our elderly neighbors enjoyed the local “kids” !
Posted February 13th, 2021 at 1:47 pm
My deepest sympathy to the entire family! Larry was such an awesome man. I know he filled all your hearts with an abundant love.
My love and prayers are with you. May you be comforted knowing he is with our Lord and Saviour. God Bless you all!🙏🏻🙏🏻😘😘
The service was wonderful. Thank you for sharing!
Posted February 13th, 2021 at 3:11 pm
Holly and family may you find comfort from the golden memories you shared together and all the lives that were touched by the many projects you both participated in our community. We will all miss Larry’s smile and wave it brightened many days. He was a great neighbor. Kurt so enjoyed being out in the yard with him in the fall. If we can help you in any way just give us a call.
Posted February 18th, 2021 at 9:39 pm
Holly and family, we are very sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. You and your family are suffering a great loss and the Athens community will as well. Sincere condolences.
Posted February 26th, 2021 at 2:03 pm
Sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. He always had a smile and was always willing to help. I will always remember the good times we had when neighbors in the Chastain duplex.
Posted March 1st, 2021 at 7:12 am
Michelle and Holly, I am so sad to see the news about Larry. I have known few people who have been so full of life. As a kid, he was a great neighbor and friend. On the few occasions we met after I was grown up, he was always the first to approach with a big smile and hearty handshake!. I will miss him. Take care of each other.