Larry E. Daily

Larry Edgar Daily, 65, of Georgetown, IL, passed away Friday April 5, 2024, at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, IL.

Larry was born December 7, 1958, in Champaign, IL, the son of Elizabeth (Smith) and Russell Daily. He was the youngest of four children. The Daily family moved to Chrisman in 1969, where Russell Daily joined the State Bank of Chrisman—a banker for more than 50 years.

Larry attended Chrisman High School, Class of 1977, where he served on the Student Council, and was active in the Future Farmers of America (FFA), and 4-H. He was a leader on the varsity baseball and varsity basketball teams, the MVP of his senior year.

After High School, Larry attended Purdue University where he double majored in Animal Science and Agronomy, graduating in 1982. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, and was active in Fraternity and University activities, including the Purdue Grand Prix.  He was a proud alumni and supporter of the Boilermakers!

While attending Purdue University Larry met Betsy Lambert, the daughter of Marcia and Howard Lambert of Georgetown, IL. Betsy and Larry were married in August 1986 in Georgetown. IL. Betsy teaches in the Georgetown-Ridge Farm school district since and is active with Larry in Georgetown and neighboring communities. Larry and Betsy have two children, Marshall (Sonya Fitzgerald) and Sarah (Opal Pursley).

In 1984, Larry began operating his family’s farm located north of Metcalf, IL. His love of farming and his family legacy was a driving force. Larry’s maternal grandfather, Edgar L. Smith, began operating the farm in the 1930’s with horses and horse drawn implements. Larry and Betsy successfully expanded their farming operation over the years.

Larry began his banking career at the Sidell State Bank as a loan officer and continued in commercial and agricultural lending at Edgar County Bank & Trust and First Federal Bank both in Paris, IL. He was currently a Vice President and Senior Loan Officer at First Farmers Bank & Trust (Paris Branch). Larry earned numerous advanced banking certifications during his career. He graduated from Cannon Trust School, University of Colorado Banking School, and Illinois Banker School. Larry loved helping his Ag and Consumer customers, trying to help them the best he possibly could!

Larry enjoyed camping and everything outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who pursued trout fishing at every opportunity.  He honed in on his fly-fishing skills in the school gym at night while Betsy was grading papers and preparing lesson plans.

Active in the community, Larry was a member of the Bloomfield Masonic Lodge, Chrisman Lions Club, United Metcalf Methodist Church, Paris Rotary Club, (serving as a past president), Paris Young Farmers Group, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Friends of Lake Mattoon, and Mattoon 803 Moose Lodge. Larry’s commitment to education was evident as he served on the Edgar County CUSD #6 (Chrisman) Board of Education for 12 years- serving as board secretary for 9 years and was recently elected (2023) to the Georgetown-Ridge Farm (CUSD #4) Board of Education.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Russell Daily and his father-in-law Howard Lambert. He is survived by his wife Betsy, his children Marshall and Sarah, his mother-in-law Marcia Lambert (Georgetown, IL) and his sisters Flora Jayne Daily (Clarkrange, TN), Florence Ann (Joe) Best (Cissna Park, IL), and Maude Eleanor (Dwane, deceased) Hartman (Stewardson, IL), Brother-in-law Charlie Lambert (Denise), sister-in-law Barb Smith (Max). Nieces; Kristen Best, and Jean and Emily Ogle.  Nephews; Matthew Best (Amanda), Mason Lambert (Haylee Hayes), Harrison Lambert (Kelsey Blackford), and Tyler and Bennett Ogle.

 Visitation is scheduled on Friday April 12, 2024, from 3-7pm with funeral services on Saturday April 13 at 11:00am all at the First Church of Christ 503 N Main St. in Georgetown, followed by interment at Cherry Point Cemetery. Cherry Point Cemetery is located 3 miles west of Chrisman on US Route 36. Larry’s family has entrusted Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Georgetown with Larrys final wishes. Please Larry’s family in sharing memories on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests contributions be made to the Georgetown Ridge Farm School Ag Foundation to be started in Larry’s name.

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