Larry Deneke

Larry Frederick Deneke, 67, of Whitewater passed away Friday, March 1, 2019, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 22, 1951, in Cape Girardeau, son of Frederick C. and Meta L. Koch Deneke. He and Diana Behrle were married Dec. 2, 1977, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Perryville, Missouri.

Larry was a 1969 graduate of Jackson High School. He was inducted into the U.S. Navy in 1971 and honorably served until 1973, during which time he served on Park County LST 1077 tank landing ship and USS Coral Sea CVA 43 aircraft carrier.

He worked many years at Cape Electrical Supply Co. and Schott Electric in Cape Girardeau, retiring from Havco Wood Products in Cape Girardeau in 2016. Larry was a board member for Missouri Mutual Heritage Insurance Co. in Gordonville and Zion United Methodist Cemetery Committee and previously served as a 4-H Leader. Larry was a long-time farmer in the Gordonville area and an active member of Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville.

Loving survivors include his wife of 41 years, Diana Deneke; three sons, Nathan Deneke of Perryville, Josh (Jessica) Deneke and children, Gavin and Kendall Deneke, of Whitewater and Zachary (Ashley) Deneke and son, Kanen Deneke, of Jackson; a sister, Barbara (James) Reitzel of Whitewater; two sisters-in-law, Patty (the late Larry) Hunt of Canton, Georgia, and Mary (David) McDowell of Crystal City, Missouri; a brother-in-law, Bobby Behrle of Perryville; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Zion United Methodist Church.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Joel Kidwell officiating. Interment, with full military honors, will follow in Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family suggests contributions be made to Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.