Larry Joseph Krulac

Larry Joseph Krulac of Wee-Ma-Tuk Hills, son of Victoria Butkovich Krulac and August "Goose" Krulac, said his final "Let's Go" here on this Earth on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

Proud son of St. David, Larry spent his formative years playing ball and being ornery with a large group of equally ornery young men who would become lifelong friends. He loved telling stories about his youth and the crazy situations they got themselves into. His laughter about the old days was infectious and the stories never got old, no matter how many times he told them. A favorite of those closest to him was how he, till this day, holds the record for the number of laps run around the St. David Grade School during lunch. That record, as far as we know, stands at 50.

A star athlete at Lewistown High School, he went on to MacMurray College where he would become an All-American basketball and baseball player and the first to be inducted into the MacMurray Hall of Fame. But he would likely say his greatest college accomplishment was winning the heart of Miss Bonnie Bell, who he would spend the next 62 years with, almost 55 of those in marriage.

Larry and Bonnie lived in the same house their entire life together on the 17th green of the golf course he loved so dearly. Always giving freely his time and energy keeping the golf course beautiful, whacking weeds and cutting down trees as needed, never expecting anything in return. He was just like that. If he saw something that needed done, he did it. He exemplified a life of generosity, kindness, honesty, and integrity with everyone he met. In his final days, he asked for money so he could tip the nurses taking care of him. Showing appreciation was always a priority. He never knew a stranger and people always walked away from him smiling. He made sure of that.

When Larry and Bonnie married and moved to Wee-Ma-Tuk, he promised that living there would be like being on vacation all the time. He loved mowing grass, pushing snow, and raking leaves into huge piles and setting them on fire. In 54 years, the fire department only had to be called once. His lawnmower, Kabota, and chainsaw were some of his most prized possessions. But it was that golf course where he found so much of his joy. He would never claim to be, but he was a darn good golfer with a pretty swing. In his amateur career, he sank 3 holes-in-one, 2 in the same round. All while driving one sharp-looking cart.

Larry and Bonnie have one daughter, Jennifer, who idolizes him. If there is such a thing as a perfect childhood, she says she had it. She will always remember all the lessons he taught her about the goodness of people, being able to laugh at herself, and doing the right thing. And she'll always have the video playing in her mind of him coaching her softball team, standing at third base, not just waving her home but running right alongside her all the way there. He was a goofy, enthusiastic, encouraging, loving and doting father. And he was adored.

He has one grandson, 19-year-old Jakob. When Jakob was 3, he was diagnosed with autism. Larry and Jakob had a special bond. Jakob loved going on golf cart rides with Grandpa and Grandpa was teaching Jakob how to drive the cart just before his death. Jakob has already made it clear that he doesn't want to drive with anyone else. Larry was a special kind of teacher and his shoes will be impossible to fill.

Larry loved the St. Louis Cardinals, the Fighting Illini, the WIU Leathernecks, carving ducks, Bonnie's povetica and chocolate chip cookies, his ballcap collection, classic country music, old cowboy shows, and all his 4-legged creatures. He and Bonnie had 20 dogs over the years and a handful of cats who he really became fond of. He leaves behind two big dopey labs, Barnie and Clyde and one cat, Colby. They won't know what to do with so much room on the couch.

His career included time at International Harvester Canton and Memphis, Canton Industrial Corporation, Cooper Electric, and Duncan LTD. He'd get up at 4:30am at the latest to get to work, saying "if you're 15 minutes early, you're late." Larry was never late.

Larry, aka Bigun, Weiner, Hoss, Kru, was loved. By his family and all his friends. His was a life well-lived.

Larry told Jennifer more times than she can count that "anything in life is as much fun as you make it."

He certainly knew what he was talking about. Larry made everything so much fun.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Franklin Krulac. Survivors include Bonnie, Jennifer, and Jakob, sister-in-law Elizabeth Krulac, nieces Ronne Neville, Beth Slager, Tori Martinez, and sisters-in-law Nancy Meuller and Sandra Nitz.

Donations in Larry's name can be made to the Ken Anderson Alliance , creating LIVE, WORK, and ENGAGE opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.