Larry Ray Greathouse, Sr., 83, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 1:21 am on April 2, 2023, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon surrounded by his family.
He was born July 14, 1939, in Sesser, Illinois to the late Reverend Olen A. and Lois (Joplin) Greathouse. Larry married Carolyn (Orrick) Greathouse on November 1, 1958, in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
In addition to his beloved wife of sixty-four years, Larry is survived by his daughter, Susan Rylowicz and husband, Scott of Winfield, Illinois; son, Reverend Larry Greathouse, Jr. and wife, Tina of Hanover Park, Illinois; grandchildren, Jim Rylowicz and wife, Alexis, Eric Rylowicz, Sam Rylowicz, Nathan Greathouse, Mackenzie Greathouse and husband, Eric Hertel; and great-grandchildren, Nolan Rylowicz, Colin Rylowicz, and Alexandra Hertel.
Larry founded and managed the gospel singing group “The Bel-Aire Singers” which traveled through the Midwest. He was a member of the Church of God where he taught Sunday School class, and Wednesday Bible Studies, directed VBS programs, and led the worship music team. He was a trailblazer with the Men and Women of Action in the Chicago Metro area now the Great Lakes Region. Larry published a gospel music newsletter known at “The Messenger.” He coached little league sports and Pop Warner football. Larry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His family meant the world to him, and he will be greatly missed.
A Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 5, 2023, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 10:00 am at Newell Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois with Reverend Charles Tate officiating. Interment will follow at Lowery Hill Cemetery in rural Dahlgren, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Larry’s honor to the family in the care of Carolyn Greathouse.
Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-246-0100 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.
