Larry James Pankey (77) of Toledo

Larry James Pankey, 77, passed away at 3:24 pm on Saturday February 15, 2025, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday February 20, 2025, at the Salem United Methodist Church located at 450 County Road 1350 East, in Toledo, Illinois with Military Rites by the Cumberland County Veterans. Visitation will be on Wednesday February 19, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, at the church. Burial will be in the Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston. The family requests you to dress casually and wear a Pank’s shirt if you have one. Barkley Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Larry was born on December 4, 1947, to James E. and Peggy J. Pankey. He married Kim Beaumont on December 17, 1983.

Survivors include his loving wife, Kim; children Corey L. Pankey, Jill (Frankie) Flood, and Marlaina (Jordan) Harper; He was Popa to his grandchildren Noah Flood, Maya Flood, Olivia Flood, Molly Harper, and Maybree Harper; brother Eric (Estrella) Pankey; sisters; twin sister Mary (Bill) Bradley, Sue (Lyle) Hunter, Lisa Sparks, Lori (Charlie) Lampley; and stepfather Merle Floyd.

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Peggy; grandparents; infant brother Jeffrey; and sister Kathy.

Larry served in the United States Air Force during Vietnam from 1967 -1971. He worked at Oce’ Bruning for 23 years before owning Pank’s Pizza in Greenup, Illinois. Larry and Kim owned and lived Pank’s Pizza for 12 ½ years. Pank’s recipes were created by him. He was so proud of Pank’s Pizza. Many who worked at Pank’s became lifelong friends. His family will be forever grateful to the employees and customers who made Pank’s such a successful endeavor. His next creative venture was the Back in Time Ice Cream truck that he took to area festivals and events. Larry was an outstanding athlete in his day. He excelled in baseball, football and basketball, bowling, and horseshoes. He loved sports and never wanted to miss a game, especially the St. Louis Cardinals and any Illini teams. He and Corey attended many Nascar races throughout the years. Nothing made him happier than cheering on his children and grandchildren at their sporting events. No distance was too far to drive to watch a game! Fishing was another passion of his. This was and still is part of being a Pankey. He loved hearing Corey’s stories from fishing tournaments. More than anything, Larry loved his family and did his best to fulfill their happiness.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Christmas Light Project: P.O. Box 503 Toledo, IL. 62468 in memory of Larry for a new Christmas light display. Online condolences can be expressed by clicking here.