Larry Swanson

Larry Howard Swanson, 77, of Riverdale, Ill., passed away on March 20, 2023, in Hazel Crest.

Larry was born July 25, 1945, to Howard and Dorothy Swanson. After graduating from Watseka High School, he went on to graduate from the University of Illinois. He served as an Army medic during the Vietnam War.

At Carter’s Mayflower, Larry met his first wife, Terry (nee Konradt), they married in 1970 and moved to Rantoul. He also worked as a mechanic at Chanute Air Force Base. They were faithful members of American Lutheran Church in Rantoul, where Larry was a deacon and sang in the choir. Terry passed away in 1993.

Larry was the loving father of Lorri Batsie and proud grandfather of Brooke and Caden Batsie of Kalamazoo, Mich.

In 1994, he became the beloved husband of Adelle (nee Mehaffey) Swanson. They had many friends, to whom Larry was very loyal, and they took good care of their dog, Pinky. On Friday nights, they enjoyed Gabe’s chicken. In fact, you could find Larry at Gabe’s on most days drinking coffee and joking with the staff.

He was the dear brother of Barry and Bev Swanson and brother-in-law of Ted and Kathy Balcom and Mike and Bev Konradt. He was preceded in death by his sister, Judy, and brother-in-law, Jack Hefflefinger.

Larry loved woodworking, Allis Chalmers Tractors, feeding the squirrels, jigsaw puzzles, the Green Bay Packers, collecting vintage Fiestaware, and the Statler Brothers.

A service will be held in Rantoul at 11 a.m. April 24 at American Lutheran Church and in Chicago at a later date. Donation suggestions include the American Kidney Fund, K9s For Warriors, and ASPCA.