Larry Stiles

March 6, 1939 – November 18, 2024

Larry Stiles left the physical world on Monday, Nov 18th at UW Swedish American Hospital, Rockford, IL, after battling a short illness, at 85 years old.  Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie Lippert (Siebert), Ralph Stiles and his stepfather Evans Lippert.  Marjorie Lippert was a well-known local artist and one of the founding members of the Eagles Nest Art Group.  Larry was also preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Frank and Emma Siebert of Oregon, IL, (who owned Siebert’s Grocery Store) Aunt Lana Cann (Siebert) and Uncle Ben Siebert (Ruth) also of Oregon, Il.  Larry is survived by his children, Laurie Molosz (Bill), Cindy Deming, Aimee McCoy (Richie), David Stiles (Whittney) and Kaitlyn Janssen.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Jackie Haas (Jeremiah), Jayson Hongsermeier (Heide), Kyle and Collin Deming, Avi McCoy, Tyler McCoy, Nolan Stiles, Colton Stiles and Logan Stiles.  Larry also has four great-grandchildren, Reagan and Britain Haas, Sabine and Aksel Hongsermeier.  In the early years, Larry enjoyed the family cabin on Kyte Creek (outside of Oregon, IL) with his relatives and friends.  He enjoyed the outdoors, cooking over a fire and many family picnics at The Pines and Lowden Park.  Larry graduated from Oregon High School in 1957.  He served in the Illinois Army National Guard from 1956 – 1962.  He then served an apprenticeship at Kable Printing Co., Mt Morris, IL.  He also went to Colorado Springs and was educated at the Typographical Union School. He later worked at the Rockford Register Star, and Frontier Ford in Rockford.  He eventually opened his own successful body shop in Mt. Morris (Larry’s Auto Reconditioning), where he also bought his first home on 7 acres. This allowed Larry to pursue his love of animals (7 dogs, 2 ducks, 5 rabbits, a horse, cats, a cow, and raised a flock of chickens for several years).  Larry had a true love of cars, especially Mustangs (he was a Ford guy).  He enjoyed doing custom paint jobs and souping up his favorites.  He also raced at the drag strip in Cordova, Union Grove and Byron, IL.  He had a passion for trains and the railroad.  He spent much of his time at the Oregon Depot watching the steam engines go by as early as age 3.  He once rode his tricycle from S. 8th Street to the depot at that age as well.  He also enjoyed model railroading and had an American Flyer setup that he built in his basement.  Larry was an avid Cubs fan and was thrilled to see them win the championship in 2016.  He also worked for the United States Postal Service as a rural route mail carrier, which he really enjoyed.  Everyone that knew Larry will remember his booming voice, funny stories and jokes and a larger-than-life personality.  He had a unique sense of humor with a special talent of embarrassing his kids in public, just to get a rise out of them.  He loved gardening and growing plants of all kinds.  Larry will truly be missed and forever remembered by his family and friends.

To remember Larry and his passion, memorial contributions can be made to the Oregon Train Depot/Museum, 401 Collins St, Oregon, IL 61061.