Larry Joseph Windell, 84 passed away peacefully September 2, 2024, at Springfield Memorial Hospital after a short illness.
He was born July 25, 1940, the first-born son of Basil E. and Harriett V. (Turner) Windell. Larry married Brenda Freese on November 11, 1972, in Peoria. They lived life to the fullest for 52 wonderful years. During that time, they enjoyed many adventures together, including rodeos, CB radio club jamborees, playing with their very spoiled English bull dogs, trips to the state fair, numerous organized bus trips to various destinations or a simple “him and her” driving trip to enjoy a tasty meal somewhere.
Upon retirement in 1997, after 37 years with the Illinois Department of Transportation, walking countless miles assisting the construction and maintenance of nearly every mile of state highway routes within the middle third of the state during that time, they RV’d their way around the country.
Larry certainly enjoyed watching the St Louis Cardinals and was an avid fan of the Washington Redskins and proudly donned their apparel every chance he got. He was a good luck charm at video slots as well and enjoyed playing them very much and was always up for a little “road trip” to do just that. Larry wasn’t much of a birthday cake fan but sure loved to share a huge juicy watermelon with family and friends in celebration of his special day every summer. Larry was a “numbers” guy and was blessed with an uncanny skill of doing math in his head and was very meticulous with anything in his work / daily life that required that skill. Larry always enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine while relaxing in his “driveway lawn chair” simply watching traffic go by while keeping tabs on the local wildlife. Much like his father, he was a “tinkerer” and never discarded “stuff” until he was darn certain he wouldn’t need that “stuff” later on to fix something else.
Larry was the father of 2 children, Greg Windell (Michelle) and Janice (Windell) Repscher both of Taylorville. He was blessed with 4 grandchildren: Myriah Windell, Simone Lacy (Sam), Dominique Anderson (David), and Cameron Windell and 7 great grandchildren. He was always respected as the “Big” Brother to 5 brothers including James R. Windell Sr. (Peg) of Colora, Maryland and Brent A. Windell (Peggy Lea) of Taylorville, and Michael E. Windell, John R. Windell, and Mark E. Windell who preceded him in death. He is also survived by other family members including sister-in-law: Linda Windell, nephew: Jeremy Freese, and several other nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents, sister: Bonnie Evelyn, son-in-law: Larry Repscher, and brother-in-law: Larry Freese.
Mr. Windell will be cremated, and a private family inurnment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.
