Larry Lee Harber Obituary (1938

Larry Lee Harber, 84, of Toluca passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday November 1, 2022, 3:15 am. Visitation will be Tuesday November 8, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home, Toluca. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday 11:00 am at St Ann's Catholic Church, with Franciscan Friars officiating. Visitation will also be from 10:00 to 10:45 Wednesday at the memorial home. Donations can be made in Larry's honor to St Ann's Parish, Toluca American Legion, Toluca Ambulance, and the Toluca Jumbo. Burial will follow at St. Ann's Cemetery, where full military rites will be accorded. He was born on April 3rd, 1938, in Washburn, IL. The son of Louis and Velma Harber of Lacon. Larry attended Mid-County High School. He later enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served his country for 3 years along the East Coast. Following his service, Larry was in charge of Office Inventory Production Control at Hyster Company and worked as a Sales Representative for IFP. He became active in city government in 1965 at the age of 27. His service to the City of Toluca continued for 44 years. He served as Alderman for 16 years from 1965-1981. Volunteer Fireman for 10 years from 1970-1980. Larry's proudest achievement was serving as Mayor of Toluca for 28 incredible years. Mayor Harber often said his greatest honor was to present the Coal Miners Plaque in honor of our Coal Miners with his granddaughters by his side. He loved dedicating his time to the wonderful citizens of Toluca and was honored to be their Mayor for almost three decades. Larry was blessed to work with an outstanding City Council while serving as Mayor. Mayor Larry Harber is listed in the State of Illinois Blue Book. He is also an Honorary Member of the Toluca Knights of Columbus, former President of the Toluca Rotary Club, and member of the Toluca American Legion. Other honors include serving on the Toluca School Board of Education from 1973-1975, coordinator for the Boy Scouts of America from 1985-1993, member of the Marshall County Enterprise Zone Committee, Bicentennial Chairman of Bennington Township in 1976, Chairman of the Toluca Industrial Economic Development Committee, Local Liquor Commissioner, member of the Illinois Valley Crime Prevention Commission, Past Grand Knight of Toluca Knights of Columbus, Past Chairman of St. Ann's Parish Council, Member of Toluca Civil Defense Unit in 1971 and member of the Marshall County Economic Development Committee. Larry also served two times as Grand Marshall of Toluca Labor Day Parade. Outside of Mayor Harber's personal achievements, his greatest legacy was his love for his family and his Savior Jesus Christ. Larry was a devoted & beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather and great grandfather. He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Delores Jean (Cioni) Harber. Whom he met in Toluca and spent 59 blissful years with. Together they raised three wonderful children. Surviving Larry are two sons and one daughter. Kim and (Lois) Harber of Carlinville, IL; Renay and (Larry) Kolb of Toluca, IL; and Todd and (Debbie) Harber of Woodstock, GA. His 8 Grandchildren: Jennifer Swan, Christopher Harber (Brooke Gordon), Kurtis Kolb (Spouse Kristy Kolb), Ashlie Miller (Spouse Drew Miller), Lindsey Gummer (Spouse Richard Gummer), Shane Gordon (Spouse Tamara Gordon), Randi Dittmer (Spouse Jonathan Dittmer) and Taylor Clark (Spouse Jacob Clark). His 13 Great Grandchildren Blakely Swan, Addisyn Swan, Dylan Miller, Layne Miller, Kameron Kolb, Kenzie Kolb, Kolby Gummer, Keatyn Gummer, Zoe Gordon, Lily Gordon, Huxton Clark, Harden Dittmer, Sunny Dittmer and Max Harber. Also surviving Larry are one sister and one brother, LaVonne Durrett (Lacon, IL) and Rockie Harber (Lacon, IL).