After a courageous battle with health issues, Larry Dean Sawyer, 85, of Elkhart passed away on November 16, 2020 at Valley View Health Care Center in Elkhart.

Larry was born April 3, 1935 in Wakarusa, IN, the third of four children of Ross H. and Nora E. (Lehman) Sawyer. He grew up in Wakarusa and graduated from high school there in 1953. He was very active in sports, lettering in basketball, baseball, and track. He was a starter on Waky's excellent varsity basketball team which included being a teammate of one of Wakarusa's all-time greats, Leland Weldy.

After high school Larry attended Indiana University and then worked various jobs before serving in the U.S. Army in Korea during the years 1957-1959. He was honorably discharged as a Specialist 4, and then returned to the U.S. where he again held various positions in the private sector. Larry loved his country and remained a very strong supporter of the U.S. Military all his life. At one time he was part owner of Sawyer's Meat Market in South Bend, and later in life was very active with Prepaid Legal, a legal consulting service online. He was also a longtime member of the Nappanee Missionary Church.

Celebrating 60 years of marriage on June 12, 2020, Larry is survived by his wife, Darlene; son Larry Ross and his wife, Dawn; son, Brent; son, Dan; brother, Tom and his wife Phyllis of Eagle, ID; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Norma Nelson, and his brother, Wayne Sawyer.

Graveside services for Larry will be held Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Olive Cemetery in Elkhart County.  Representatives from the American Legion, the D.A.V. Chapter 19 and active duty soldiers from the United States Army will render military honors.  Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman is in charge of arrangements.