Larry Lavinder

Larry Gene Lavinder, 63, of Thompson, died on Feb. 8, 2007, at 9:45 a.m. at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, at Pickering Funeral Home with the Rev. Joe Jimmerson officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Centralia Cemetery.

Mr. Lavinder was born on Jan. 3, 1944, in Benton City. When he was very young, he moved to the Thompson area with his mother Ruth Elizabeth Berrey and stepfather William Estil Berrey. He attended Centralia High School. On March 17, 1962, in Centralia, he married Edna Mae Conley, who survives. He was a machinist with Kaiser/National Refractories for 38 years. After retirement, he became a co-owner of S & L Angus. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Centralia.

Mr. Lavinder enjoyed hunting and fishing with his grandsons, as well as attending numerous sporting events in which they participated. He was a very caring and giving husband, father and grandpa.

In addition to his wife, survivors include three daughters, Ruth Ann Ball, Mexico, Melanie Schuering and husband Brent, Mexico, and Cynthia Reading and husband Shawn, Thompson; two aunts, Frances Lavinder and Lucille Berrey, both of Mexico; two uncles, J. C. Berrey, Centralia, and Harold Berrey, Thompson; and four grandchildren, Chad and Shane Ball, Mexico, and Garrett and Bailey Schuering, Mexico.

His parents, Ruth and Estil Berrey preceded him in death.

Memorial gifts may be made to the American Kidney Foundation or the First Christian Church in Centralia. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.