Larry E. Gray

Larry E. Gray, age 70, of Biggsville, Ill., passed away at 8:30 am on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at Oak Lane Nursing and Rehab in Stronghurst, Ill. He was born on July 21, 1939 in Burlington, Ia., the son of Clarence R. and Mildred R. Saben Gray. He was raised and educated in rural Gladstone, and graduated from G & O High School in 1957. Larry married Mildred Fay Huffman on December 5, 1959 in Gladstone, Ill., and she survives. Larry began work farming the family farm in Gladstone, Illinois. In 1966, he left farming and was employed by J. I. Case in Burlington, Iowa where he advanced to be foreman of the maintenance department. After work with Case, Larry then worked with Don Zurmuehlen, farming in the Gladstone area. Lastly he was employed 10 years at Union Community School District in maintenance, until retiring in 2004. Larry has been an active member of the Gladstone United Methodist Church and a fifty year member of the Burlington Eagles Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening; and most of all spending time with his family and grandchildren. Larry is survived by his wife, Fay of Biggsville, two daughters Deb Gray Palmer (Danny) and Cindy Gray, both of Gladstone; and one son, Tim Gray also of Gladstone, Illinois. Also surviving are two grandsons, Dustin Palmer of Keokuk, Ia., and Steven Palmer of Iowa City, Ia. He is preceded in death by his parents. Services:A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 3, 2010 at the Gladstone United Methodist Church in Gladstone. Interment will be in the Oquawka Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, where his family plans to receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday evening. A memorial fund has been established for the Gladstone United Methodist Church.