Larry D. Bigard's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Lawrence D. Bigard, age 63 of Charleston, went home on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Graveside Services honoring and celebrating his life will be held today (April 29) at 3:00 p.m. at Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston with Pastor John Best officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Honor Guard of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592. There will be no public Visitation. It is requested that memorials in his honor be made to First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust Judy Bigard Benefit. Gifts may be left at the Graveside Services or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. Larry was born July 20, 1947 in McLeansboro, Illinois, to Florent Joseph and Maxine (Grimes) Bigard. He was united in marriage to Judy Venable on June 13, 1981 in Champaign, Illinois. Larry is survived by Judy, his wife and best friend of nearly thirty years; two children, John Patrick Bigard and wife Alex of Asheville, North Carolina and Dawn E. (Bigard) Riley and husband Alan of Arkansas; eleven grandchildren, Joshua Milliman, Danielle Milliman, Michael Milliman, Melissa Milliman, Makayla Riley, Bryce Riley Ashley Bigard, Jeremy Bigard, William Bigard, Samantha Bigard and Mia Bigard; a brother, John Daniel Bigard and wife Thelma of West Liberty, Illinois; a sister, Kathy Curry and husband David of Magnolia, Texas, a brother, Elmer Brookfield of Effingham, Illinois; and a stepfather, Henry Brookfield of Olney, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, Florent Joseph Bigard and Maxine Bigard Brookfield; his grandparents, Louie and Cecelia Bigard; a brother, Florent Joseph Bigard, Jr.; and two sisters, Angelina Bigard and Nell Bigard. Larry was a Vietnam War Veteran proudly serving his country with the United States Marine Corps. He was formerly employed with Blaw-Knox in Mattoon and was currently employed with GSI in Paris, Illinois as a metal shearer. Larry was a man of faith and a member of the Charleston Bible Church. His love for the Lord along with his kind heart and generous nature was the foundation for the numerous ways in which he served others with a loving and Christian attitude. He could always be counted on to help someone less fortunate. Larry was quite the science enthusiast, enjoyed playing pool with his brother and loved being outdoors. Long walks with Judy, mountain hikes in search of the next waterfall or being at home in his garden were all activities he enjoyed. Larry's sense of humor made life for himself and those around him more enjoyable. He loved his family dearly and was a wonderful husband to Judy, a devoted father to John and Dawn, and a doting grandfather who adored his grandchildren immensely. They have all been blessed with fond memories to recall and share with one another and to comfort their hearts.
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