ROCHELLE — Larry Forest Casey, 75, of Rochelle, passed away peacefully with his family by his side Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 at his home. He was born Oct. 7, 1941, in Montgomery County, the son of Wauna Laverne and Margie Mae (Worker) Casey.
He graduated from Rochelle Township High School in 1959. He married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Patricia Ellen Byrd, on Aug. 19, 1962 in Rochelle.
Larry is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Evelyn Casey and Janet Herrmann. 
While Larry had a life-long passion for farming, he was a true entrepreneur as demonstrated by his various business pursuits throughout the years including Casey Farms, Arctic Cat Snowmobile Shop, Sun & Snow, MFCH Trucking (he was the “C”), Casey Trucking, DXC Inc., Rochelle Travel Plaza as well as several others that his immediate family can’t recall.  
Larry created many memories snowmobiling, boating, and “Larry style” camping with family and so many special friends. He was a true “social butterfly” as he always enjoyed having company with him wherever he went: morning coffee at Johnson Tractor and afternoon coffee at McDonalds with the guys, attending farm sales and auctions, fun trips with the grandchildren and special friends, attending sporting and music events for his children and grandchildren, or even going to pick up an equipment part with someone who was lucky enough to drop by just at the right time. During the last ten years, he really enjoyed sharing their lakehouse with family, “the cousins,” and friends.
Larry is survived by his wife, Pat, of Rochelle; three children, Annette (Michael) Vogeler of Orgeon, Jennifer (Scott) Lundin of Naperville, and David (Sheryl) Casey of Rochelle; a brother, Melvin (Margie) Casey; brother-in-law, Dean (Joannie) Herrmann of Rochelle; 11 grandchildren, Blake (Carmen) Vogeler, Nadia Vogeler, Darah (Kyle) Bridgeman, Erick Vogeler, Wade Vogeler, Eli Vogeler, Miranda Lundin, Ryan Lundin, Claudia, Braden and Quinton Casey; great-granddaughter, Ava Vogeler and baby boy Bridgeman arriving in October. He is also survived by many cousins and very special nieces and nephew.
Visitation will be from 4 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. Sixth St., in Rochelle. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 1 at the Rochelle United Methodist Church, 709 Fourth Ave. in Rochelle with Pastor Rob Hamilton and John Hutchison officiating. Interment will follow in Lawnridge Cemetery in Rochelle. Memorials may be made in Larry’s memory to Rochelle United Methodist Church, Rochelle Rescue Mission or Pegasus Special Riders.
Please visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.