Lawrence "Larry" H. Fleming

Lawrence “Larry” H. Fleming, 77, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, December 7th at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

A memorial service followed by cremation will be held Saturday , December 10th  from noon to 4 pm  at Gladfelter Funeral Home in Ottawa.  Prayers with Father David Kipfer of St. Columba Church officiating will be at 2:00 pm.  The Ottawa Fire Department will honor Larry with a Bell Service and Military Honors will be conducted by the Ottawa Veterans Organization.  There will be a celebration of life at 4:30 pm at the Ottawa Elks Lodge, 116 West Jefferson Street, with many family and friends and Larry’s  special bestie and grandson , Trevor, whom he loved dearly and who loved him dearly and will miss him immensely.

Larry was an outstanding husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.   If you spent any time with Larry you knew what deep laughter was.  He would have given you the shirt from his back, the food from his plate and he would have done anything you asked of him if it was in his power.   He never knew a stranger, everyone he ever met ended up being a friend.  He will be greatly missed and a huge void is now in our lives but he is at peace, no longer in pain and smiling down at us.  For that we are thankful.

Larry was born November 25, 1939 in LaSalle, IL to Shirley Ernest Fleming and Ruby Leann (Miller) Fleming.

Larry served in the US Navy from 1957-1962, aboard the U.S.S. Glacier in the Antarctic.  Larry retired from the Ottawa Fire Department with 21 years as a Firefighter/EMT.

He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Edna M. (Manning) Fleming, their 5 children all of Ottawa, Gerald Fleming, Darrell (Denise) Fleming, Phillis (Tom) Lyons, Diana (Randy) Stiles and Lawrence (Susie) Fleming Jr. 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren with two on the way.   Also surviving are 5 sisters, 3 brothers and numerous nieces and nephews and his beloved Chihuahua, Penny.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and 5 siblings. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Ottawa Fire Department.