Larry Lovett, 71, of Urbana passed away Friday, January 7 at Provena Covenant Medical Center.

Larry was born May 13, 1939 in Urbana to Arthur and Helen Myrle Lovett. He married Jan Rudd on November 10, 1973. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Rod Lovett, Champaign, and Brad Lovett, Savoy; two granddaughters, Jaylen Lovett and Taylor Lovett; two brothers, Darrell `Corky' (Shirley) Lovett, Urbana and Phil (Phyllis) Lovett, Savoy. He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant brother.

Larry developed his lifelong work ethic at an early age delivering newspapers for the Champaign Urbana Courier where he won many trips and awards. He told the story many times of selling newspapers to patients at Mercy Hospital if he wasn't caught by the Sisters. At age 16 Larry began work for Durst Cycle which led to numerous opportunites in retail. His early exposure to the newspaper business eventually led to his becoming Circulation Manager at the Courier and later Director of Circulation at the News Gazette. He returned to a career in sales at Twin City Tent and Awning retiring in February 2006 after accumulating almost $5,000,000 in sales.

Larry coached Farm League, Little League, J.C., and All Star baseball teams for many years as his sons progressed up through those various leagues. He was a lifetime Illini, St. Louis Cardinal, and Chicago Bears fan. He was a born salesman, never met a stranger, arid always had a story or joke to tell. He was a favorite Uncle to his many nieces and nephews. He loved to fish and had many stories of the one that got away until he started taking his Polaroid camera to document his tall tales.

Visitation will be from 6 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 12 at Renner Wikoff, Urbana. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, January 13 at 11:00 A.M. at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign. Family and friends are invited to gather at the C-U Elks, Savoy after the graveside services in celebration of Larry's life.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.