Larry Cortelyou of LaHarpe, Illinois, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, March 21, 2022, after a few months of health issues, at the age of 75.

He was born in LaHarpe in 1946, the youngest son of Doren & Florence (Brandt) Cortelyou. In school, Larry was active in 4-H, FFA, football, basketball, and baseball. After graduating from LaHarpe High School in 1964, he attended Southeastern Community College in Burlington, Iowa, and earned an associate degree in mechanical engineering. Following college, Larry met and married Terri Pirog, from Chicago, on October 4, 1970. They lived in Pekin, IL, where he ran his own window washing business. Their only son, Shawn, was born there. In 1974, Larry moved back to LaHarpe to work on the family farm with his dad.

Active in his church, Larry traveled all over the world. He never met a stranger! Larry was instrumental in the LaHarpe Summer Ball Program for over 35 years. Even last summer, he was at the park, preparing the baseball diamonds for games. Larry started the Midwest Buyers Co-op, a school supply cooperative, in the early 1990s. When his son moved to LaHarpe in the 1990s, he and Shawn worked together farming and in the co-op.

Larry never had idle time. If he finished one task, he started something else right away. In 2008, he designed his dream house on a pond and built an addition for his family. He loved fishing, golfing, softball, and working on projects with his grandchildren. Some of his favorite projects were his house, a treehouse built with the grandchildren, the front porch he designed and built with his son, and the dock and bridge on his pond.
Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Doren and Florence Cortelyou, brothers, Roger and Robert Cortelyou, and son, Shawn Cortelyou. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Terri, daughter-in-law, Beth, granddaughters, Megan (Jake) Crouse, Emma and Heather Cortelyou, and nephews, Jon and Aaron Cortelyou.

Although the family will not be present, friends may call from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 24, 2022 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe.

A private funeral service will be held at Banks & Beals.

Memorial donations can be made to LaHarpe Summer Ball Program and left at the funeral home Thursday or mailed to Larry Cortelyou Memorial Fund, c/o Banks & Beals Funeral Home, P.O. Box 503, LaHarpe, IL 61450.

To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Larry's obituary at banksandbeals.com.