Larry M. Lee

Larry M. Lee, 88, of Galesburg died peacefully on June 14, 2025 surrounded by family. Larry was born January 18, 1937 in Monmouth, Illinois, and raised in Alexis, Illinois. His parents were Harold M. and Anastasia M. Lee.

He attended grade school in Alexis before moving to Galesburg where he attended Corpus Christi High School, graduating in 1955. He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Jane Stablein, on August 30, 1958, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Galesburg where they are still members.

Larry is survived by his wife, Jane (Stablein) Lee; Four children: Brenda (Tim) Spellman of Houston, TX, Lisa (Jack) Pallardy of Pekin, IL, Robert (Xandra) Lee of Tampa, FL, and Brian (Liz) Lee of Elk River, MN. Seventeen grandchildren: Dallas Spellman, Ashley (Ryan) Barksdale, Brandon, Victoria, Drake, Analisa, Quinn and Luke Pallardy, Xavier, Isaiah, Barret, Renata, Francesca, and Robert Lee, Jr., Matthew, Michael, and Shaun Lee. Two great-grandchildren, Leander and Donovan Barksdale. He is also survived by one brother, David (Kay) Lee of Moline.

He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Anastasia Lee, and five siblings Nelle Blakewell, Mary Alice Stewart, Carol Ann DeCoster, James Lee, and Rev. Robert E. Lee.

In 1974, Larry and his brother James opened Lee Bros. Welding Service which they owned and operated for nearly 30 years.

He was a former member of the Galesburg Glass Favorites Corvette Club where he fostered many friendships in the 1970s and 1980s, and a proud member of the NRA. He loved to work on cars, collecting and restoring several Corvettes in his garage. He helped build a Ford Anglia Drag Car with friends in the 1970s named “Heats On” that they drag raced at Cordova Dragway Park in Cordova, Illinois.

Larry also loved NASCAR, and many summer family get togethers were spent on the patio with conversations and laughter and splashing in the pool with a background soundtrack of race cars zooming around the track on the television.

His happy place in retirement was The Cabin, where he spent most days trimming trees, clearing paths, or just sitting and watching turkey and deer and other wildlife out the window. He loved the outdoors and deer hunting with his grandchildren and friends. It was something he anticipated and planned for all year long. The Cabin at Grandpa’s Farm became the family holiday place away from television and phones. Time there was spent with family, nature, board games, and 4-wheeling.

His favorite vacation destination was Costa Rica, where he traveled each January with family for many years.

A devout Catholic, Larry’s faith guided his every step. His faith was lived every day through his generosity, and the love he poured into his family. He raised his four children with patience and strength, instilling in them the same values that defined his life. And when grandchildren came along, his heart only grew larger.

His legacy was built on not only what he accomplished, but on how he lived, and that legacy will continue to live on through his family.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 20, 2025 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home in Galesburg, with the rosary prayed at 7:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, in Galesburg. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. A luncheon will follow at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Activity Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 2401 N. Broad Street, Galesburg, IL 61401. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.