Larry N. Boatright, age 78 of Carlyle, passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Larry was born in Breese, Illinois, on September 16, 1947, a son of Leonard N. and Dorothy (Meyer) Boatright. He married Carol K. Lurkins on February 14, 1969, in Hookdale, Illinois, and they celebrated 56 years of happy marriage together.
Larry proudly served his country in the United States Army with D Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, 198th Light Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division. After his military service, he remained active in veterans service organizations, including the American Legion and Sons of the American Legion Post 1994 in Keyesport, VFW Post 3523 in Carlyle, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Americal Division Veterans Association. He was also a member of the NRA and the Vandalia Moose Lodge.
Larry worked at Rockwell International in Centralia before following his entrepreneurial spirit and founding Financial Consolidation Mortgage Company and later Certified Title. A true outdoorsman, Larry enjoyed spending a day on the lake boating or a quiet morning hunting in the woods. He was an avid firearms collector who got the biggest grin from the thunderous boom of his Civil War era cannon. More than anything, Larry looked forward to visiting with friends, and he treasured time spent with his family.
Mr. Boatright is survived by his wife, Carol Boatright of Carlyle; his son, Neil D. Boatright (Mindy) of Keyesport; his grandchildren, Colton Rhodes (Montana) of Carlyle, Caden Boatright of Keyesport, and Madeline Boatright of Keyesport; a great grandson, Colter Rhodes; a brother, Edwin Boatright (Mabel); his nieces, Shana Huels and Candy Schneider; and his nephews, Brad Boatright, Les Boatright, Cole Boatright, and Erick Dickinson.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Boatright and Dorothy Boatright Sohn; his stepfather, George Sohn; a brother, Tom Boatright; and a sister, Brenda Lueking.
Visitation will be held at Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton Street, Carlyle, Illinois, on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday afternoon at Zieren Funeral Home with Rev. Jason McIntosh officiating. Military honors following the service will be provided by the Keyesport American Legion and the Carlyle VFW. Mr. Boatright will be buried at McKendree Chapel Cemetery near Keyesport at a later date.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Boatright are suggested to the Keyesport American Legion, the Jared Burke Foundation, or Vitas Healthcare. Donations and condolence cards will be received through Zieren Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.ZierenFuneralHome.com.
