Lawrence E. Lillegard

Lawrence E. Lillegard, 77, of Benton Harbor, MI, passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2006, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family as they sang hymns of comfort and praise. Arrangements have been entrusted with Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph, MI. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, July 13, 10:00 a.m., at St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, Benton Harbor, MI, with Rev. Martin Weigand officiating. Burial will follow at Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor, MI. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 12, from 5:00-8:00 p.m., at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, or to the Berrien County Cancer Service. Friends wishing to leave a message of condolence, or to sign the family guestbook, may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Lawrence was born May 4, 1929, in Boston, MA, to George Oliver and Agnes Bernice (Onstad) Lillegard. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Larry served as a Vicar at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor where he met his wife Velma Gerencser and was married July 30, 1960. He was a past president of St. Matthew’s, served on the Board of Elders, and the Board of Education. In the past, he sang with the Lakeland Chorale Society, and a local barbershop chorus, but his greatest joy was singing in the church choir. He appreciated beautiful music. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved playing board games with his children and grandchildren, and also enjoyed crossword puzzles and golfing. Larry followed in his father’s footsteps, and was a pastor for twelve years serving congregations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Missouri before returning to Benton Harbor to become an insurance agent for the past 30 years.He is survived by his wife, Velma; his four children, Daniel (Tara Rice) Lillegard of Avilla, IN, Susan (Roger) Knafel of Marshall, MI, Christine Lillegard of Grand Rapids, MI, and Kathryn (John) Tyson of Grand Rapids, MI; grandchildren, Nicole and Andrew Mikkelsen, Daniel Lillegard, Dylan Rice, Monica and Nathan Tyson, and Zane and Mical Liana Knafel; three brothers, George (Polly) Lillegard of Sebastian, FL, Rev. David (Ione) Lillegard of Sebastian, FL, and Dr. Norman (Diane) Lillegard of Martin, TN; three sisters, Elizabeth (Prof. Rudy) Honsey of Mankato, MN, Laura Lillegard of Mankato, MN, and Alice (Dr. Daniel) Maxfield of Laurel, MD. Lawrence is preceded in death by his parents-George and A. Bernice, and a sister Marjorie Borck.