Larry LaVerne Hunter, age 88, died on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Mt. Sterling Health and Rehab Center in Mt. Sterling, Illinois. He was born on July 14, 1937, in Quincy, Illinois, the second of twin sons born to Peter and Margaret (Hooper) Hunter. He married Nellie Marie Elliott on February 14, 1981, in Quincy, Illinois. She survives.

After graduating high school in Quincy Larry entered the military serving in the United States Army from 1956 to 1959 with an honorable discharge. He continued his service in the Army Reserves until 1962. While in the army Larry worked as a stenographer in the Assistant Chief of Staff’s office at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

After his military service Larry worked for two years for Burlington Railroad. He then worked in sales and management for Singer Sewing Machine Company and later for Beiderman Furniture, both in Jefferson City, Missouri. He then worked for about three years at Electric Wheel in Quincy after which he owned and operated a local tavern. In the early 1970’s he started his own handyman business which he operated until 1981.

Larry then attended John Wood Community College and received credentials as a Nurse Assistant. Over the next several years he worked as a nurse assistant for Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Quincy, as a detox clinician for Carter House in Hannibal, and as a residential counselor for Great River Recovery Resources in Quincy. During that same period Larry became a Christian and began evangelism and leadership training. He preached on the weekends for the Church of Christ in Canton, Missouri for several years in the late 1980’s.

Larry finished his career as a salesman for Loethen Rheinschmidt and Bay View Marine, both in Quincy, and then as a route supervisor for C & G Sales in Quincy.

As an active member of the Church of Christ in Quincy, Larry was active in prison ministry for over 40 years in which he conducted Bible studies in prisons throughout the state of Illinois. In his later years, though unable to make personal visits, he continued the prison ministry through mail correspondence remaining active until his recent decline in health in October this year.

Larry is survived by his wife Nellie; sister, Betty Worman (Bob); stepson, Nugget Henry, stepdaughter Scarlet Mears; granddaughters Jennifer Pavey (David),and Michelle; grandson J. T. , and many great-grandchildren.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Chris Chamberlain, and twin brother Lester.

Larry enjoyed music, crossword puzzles, golfing, fishing, and lame dad jokes. Yet far more than any hobby, Larry enjoyed studying the Bible and sharing God’s word with others. He stored up treasure in heaven as a man devoted to God, devoted to God’s word and devoted to God’s people.

Visitation will be at 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. with a funeral service following at 10:30 on Saturday, November 29th at the Church of Christ in Quincy. Interment will be in Park Lawn Cemetery, Barry, Illinois with a private ceremony for immediate family.