Larry Neil Petersen (75) of Louisville

Larry Neil Petersen, 75, of Louisville, Illinois, passed away at 12:36 AM, Monday, March 18, 2024, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on July 9, 1948, in Effingham, Illinois, the son of Edward and Marzella (Willis) Petersen. Larry graduated from North Clay Community High School in Louisville, Illinois in 1966. He was drafted into the United States Army on March 19, 1968, serving in Vietnam and received an honorable discharge on March 18, 1970. Larry was a propane salesman for 37 years, starting his career at Ray Summers in Louisville and retiring from Effingham-Clay Service Company after 32 years. He was also involved in farming and raising cattle for many years. He married Joyce VanHouten at Hoosier Prairie Baptist Church on August 19, 1967.

Surviving is his wife Joyce of Louisville, Illinois; one son Ryan and wife Jody Petersen of Effingham, Illinois; four grandchildren, Tyler, Macy, Colin and Blake Petersen; one brother, Allan of Louisville, Illinois; sisters-in-law, Joyce Petersen of Corbin, Kentucky, Karen Petersen of Rushville, Illinois, Loletta Petersen of Mason, Illinois, Terri (Leon) Hillyer of Effingham, Illinois and Rosie VanHouten of Chenoa, Illinois; two aunts, one uncle and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, James Petersen, Bill Petersen, Phil Petersen, Darrel Petersen and Marty Petersen; sister-in-law Sue Petersen; in-laws Bruce and Pauline VanHouten; brothers-in-law Gerald VanHouten and Dale VanHouten.

Larry never met a stranger! He was a member of the DAV and Amvet of Effingham, Illinois, Triple A tractor club and Sod Buster tractor club. He enjoyed farming and being outdoors. Larry found great joy in spending time with his grandkids and watching their sporting events. His grandkids were the Light of his Life!

Funeral services to celebrate Larry’s life will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, March 23, 2024 at the McGriff Funeral Home in Louisville with Carrol Ross officiating. Burial will follow at the Old Union Cemetery, Louisville with military graveside honors. Visitation will be held on Friday evening at the funeral home where friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and then on Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Larry’s memory to either the American Heart Association or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted through the funeral home. To sign the guestbook online or share a memory of Larry, please visit by clicking here.