Larry Dean Tully

Larry Dean Tully, 81, of Elkhart, died Monday January 9, 2023 in the comfort of his home, surrounded by family.

Larry was born March 13, 1941 in Goshen, Indiana and graduated from Ligonier High School in 1959. He attended trade school in Chicago, then returned to Ligonier, where he worked as a draftsman for Richards' Musical Instruments. He served in the United States Army from 1966 until 1968 and was deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Air Cavalry stationed at Ahn Khe. He was awarded the Bronze Star by the U.S. Department of Defense for his service. In the 1970s and 80s, he was a sought-after special event photographer. Larry was a valued employee of Miles Laboratories and Bayer Corporation for three decades, first as a construction draftsman, then as LTL Manager at the Nappanee Street Warehouse, and finally as a Production Supervisor. Since his 2002 retirement, Larry has spent time with family, friends and neighbors, doing a little traveling and a lot of peaceful relaxing, enjoying the scenery and local wildlife at his home on Simonton Lake, Elkhart. He fed and photographed ducks, geese, swans, robins, blue jays, cardinals, and any other bird that dropped by. He was always up for good music and any opportunity to laugh.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard D. ("Nook") and Iva Donivan ("Donie") Tully of Ligonier. He is survived by his loving wife, best friend and companion of more than 30 years, Lois (nee Ragland) Tully; his daughters Kathy Jo Tully of Three Rivers, Michigan, Kristine (Paul) Petrulis  of St. Petersburg, Florida, Kelly (Cornelis) de Waal of Indianapolis; his stepchildren Dyonna (Devon) Bryant, Christina (Jason) Lewis and Jeremy (Sarah) Underwood; his grandchildren Sophie and Olivia de Waal, Arianna Petrulis, David and Sarah Bryant, Hannah and Owen Lewis, Elizabeth and Rayland Underwood; his great grandchildren Carter and Harper Bryant; and his sister, Patricia (Ralph) Fry of Toledo, Ohio.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 pm Sunday January 15, 2023 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd, Elkhart, IN 46514 where funeral services will be 11 am Monday January 16, 2023 with visitation 1 hour before the service. Pastor Keith McFarren will be officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Park, Osceola, IN.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Larry's memory can be made to the VFW Post #88, 1519 W. Bristol St, Elkhart, IN 46514 or to the Audubon Society (call 1-844-428-3826 to make a memorial gift.) Online condolences may be made at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com

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