Larry Wayne Barker

Born July 23, 1947 in Pekin to Russell Wayne and Norma Jean (Woodley) Barker, he married Dianne L. Patterson on May 9, 1987 in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Jennifer I. (Lance) Breeding of Pace, Florida; two sons, A. Kip (Jane) Patterson of Manito and Klint (Tiffanie) Flairty of Manito; six grandchildren, Baylor (Matt Tornquist) Breeding, Chase Breeding, Kylie (Theresa) Valencia, Ryan (Natalie) Patterson, Jaxson Flairty and Elise Flairty; one great-granddaughter, Maeve Patterson and one brother, Garry H. (Renae) Barker of Pekin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one stepson, Brent Lee Flairty and one great-grandson, Reid Patterson.

Larry was a 1965 graduate of Pekin Community High School and later graduated from Pensacola Junior College with an Associate of Science Degree as a Registered Nurse.

He was a Registered Nurse at Pekin Hospital starting in 1987 and also worked for Portamedic Insurance Surveys in Peoria beginning in 1989. He previously worked for the United States Postal Service in Pensacola, Florida and in Pekin. While living in Pensacola, Larry also was a volunteer firefighter with the Ferry Pass Volunteer Fire Department.

Larry served in the United States Marine Corps for 4 years during the Vietnam War.

He was a History buff, enjoyed reading and working Sudoku puzzles. Anyone that knew Larry, knew he was a big fan of Jimmy Buffet.

His celebration of life gathering will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Pekin Moose Family Center 916, where military rites will be accorded at 3 p.m. by the United States Marine Corps and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team. Cremation has been accorded. Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2211 North Oak Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60707 or to OSF Healthcare Foundation for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) research, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com