Lynn Lary Sakel

Lynn Lary Sakel, age 80, died peacefully on Nov. 7, 2016 in his home in DeMotte, Indiana. He is survived by his wife Tracie; his stepson, Edward (Brenda) Cummings and step daughters Cheri (John) Tuinstra and Patty (Clarence) Oudman; 9 grandchildren, Tim, Julie, Rebekah, Jon, Todd, Ryan, Mark, Lauren and Tricia, who referred to him as “Grandpa Lary” and 14 great grandchildren who referred to him as “Papa Lary”. Lary was preceded in death by his parents Maurice and Octavia “Peg” Sakel and by his first wife Mary Francis Cummings Sakel. Lary was born on Nov 24, 1935 in Red Bay, Alabama but spent his formative years in and around Stendal, Indiana, where he graduated from High School. He attended Evansville College where he played basketball before transferring to Florida Southern from where he graduated. He later received a Master’s Degree from Indiana State University. Lary was a social studies teacher and basketball coach at Plainville and Freelandville, Indiana. In 1963 he moved to DeMotte where he taught social studies at DeMotte High School and then Kankakee Valley High School until his retirement in 1998. While teaching, Lary continued his quest for learning, receiving a correspondence law degree from Blackstone School of Law and then studying for and achieving status as a licensed minister in the United Church of Christ. He used his legal education by serving as Town Judge in DeMotte. He also served as Pastor of the St. Luke’s UCC church in San Pierre, Indiana. He was Chaplain of the DeMotte Police and also Oak Grove Retirement Village in DeMotte. He performed many marriages and funeral services for his many friends and their families in the DeMotte area. Lary will be remembered as a well-known story teller who also enjoyed singing songs with his own melodies. He was a wonderful husband to Mary and Tracie, best man and mentor to Ed, and a loving grandfather. He had a strong Christian faith with compassion and concern for all. Lary attended the First Christian Reformed Church and was a member of the Gideon’s International and the DeMotte Ministerial Association. Friends may visit with the family at the First Christian Reformed Church on Friday, November 11, 2016 from 10 AM till 2 PM. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Friday, November 11, 2016 at the First Christian Church in DeMotte with Pastor Laryn Zoerhof officiating. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, November 14, 2016 at the Bethel Cemetery in Freelandville, IN. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Gideon’s International or to the DeMotte Christian School.

Lynn Lary Sakel

November 24, 1935 - November 7, 2016