Virgil P. Larson

Virgil P. Larson, 79, of Cornell, died at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Livingston Manor, Pontiac.

His funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Duffy Funeral Home, Pontiac, the Rev. Scott Fulkerson officiating.

Burial wil be in Esmen Camp Cemetery, Cornell.

Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

He was born Oct. 9, 1928, at Alexis, the son of August and Natalia (Lunden) Larson. He married Norma Walters Oct. 1, 1950, at the Methodist Church, Streator. She survives at Cornell.

Also surviving are two sons, David Larson, Carlinville, and Ronald E. Larson, Cornell; one daughter, Linda K. (Paul E.) Carter, Kingston, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Jessica F. Baylous and Holly A. (Josh) Donelson, both of Knoxville, Tenn., Tonya L. Rudder, Madisonville, Tenn., and Shannon M. Baker, Streator; and five great-grandchildren, Kyler P. Baylous, Peyton Fortune, Katelyn Rudder, Alexis Donelson and Kaylea Donelson.

Mr. Larson was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wilmer Larson and Leonard Larson; and one sister, Gertrude Donoho.

He was a graduate of Magnolia High School in 1948, at Magnolia.

Mr. Larson was a farmer most of his life. He also had been employed at Anthony's Body Shop, and had worked at Pontiac Correctional Center until retirement.

He dearly loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish, and was an avid trapshooter. He enjoyed playing Euchre and loved to tell jokes and leave everyone laughing.