LARRY MCKOWN

Larry A. McKown, age 74, passed away Friday, May 20, 2011 at St. Elizabeth Hospital. He was born February 20, 1937 to the late Omar and Mabel McKown in Decatur, IL. On November 24, 1957, he married Louise C. Robazek. Larry was a 1955 graduate of Decatur High School and graduated in 1961 from Millikin University; the same year he completed his sixth year in the U.S. Army. After his time in the service, Larry obtained many positions within American Can Co. in Milwaukee, Neenah, Menasha and Glendale, CA, including Plant Manager at four different locations, and Manager of Industrial and Environmental Engineering. After his retirement in October, 1994, Larry enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golfing. He also enjoyed collecting guns, politics, and, in his earlier years, coaching soccer. Larry is survived by his three children: Sabreena (Rick), Neenah; Eric (Norene), Sherwood; Michael (Marcie), Boise, ID; his sister, Louis Eleanor, his in-laws, Delmar and Shirley Burge and his niece, Melia Hougaboom. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise, his parents; his in-laws, Harold and Mildred Robazek and his nephew, Lee Burge. A memorial gathering will be held Tuesday, May 24, 2011 from 12:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. at Menashas Westgor Funeral Home. Interment will be immediately following at Oak Hill Cemetery. The family would like to extend a warm thank you to the care staff at Brewster Village, especially Jennifer; as well as Island Shores and the ER and ICU staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital, especially Joel. I am not there Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep I am in a thousand winds that blow, I am softly falling snow. I am the gentle showers of rain, I am the fields of ripening grain. I am in the morning hush, I am in the graceful rush Of birds in circling flight. I am the star shine of the night. I am in the flowers that bloom, I am in a quiet room, I am the birds that sing, I am in each lovely thing. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there. I did not die.