Larry E. Linn, 84, of Willow Manor, Deming, N.M., died Tuesday, May 11, at home.

Larry was born in Burket, Ind., on August 3, 1936, to Dorothy (Warren) and Leo Linn. He married Mary E (Heaton) Linn on August 27, 1954, in Elkhart; she predeceased him in 2015. Together they had four children; Katherine (Timothy) Gavin, Phillip (Patti), and Robert, all of Elkhart; and Mary Michaud, Mishawaka.

Larry Linn

Larry attended Concord schools but graduated from Mentone High School in Mentone in 1954. He was a proud member of the Mentone Bulldogs’ sectional-winning, basketball team of 53-54.

Larry started his working career as a child at Teuchert’s Gladiolus fields and later at Midway Auto Theatre in Dunlap. He went on to work at many of Elkhart’s early businesses: Fred V Gentsch furniture, DoMore Chair Company, Skyline’s Homette and Buddy lines, Georgie Boy, and Coachman. He retired in 1998 after working for more than a decade at Hy-Line Enterprises.

Larry was also a skilled woodworker and upholster, owning and operating joint upholstery businesses with his father, Leo, and brothers Leon and Warren Linn. During the time of his own business, Linn Upholstery, he restored some of the furniture and walls of the Foster Mansion for Mr. and Mrs. William Heinhuis.

Besides Larry’s four children, he is survived by his grandchildren: Patrick Gavin, Corey Gavin, Alyssa Gavin, Jeremy Linn, Amber Deranek, Kelley Nelson, and Nick Linn; eight great-grandchildren; his siblings: Warren (Diana) Linn, Pamela (Chuck) Franks, Theresa (Gene) Berger, and Deborah (Don) Baughman; and many nieces and nephews. Larry was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his brother Leon Linn, and sisters Karen Clark and Brenda Downing.

Larry will be buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Deming, NM, beside Mary, his wife of 61 years. No services are planned at this time.

The family would like to thank the staff, volunteers, and residents of Willow Manor, Deming, NM, for the care, kindness, and generosity they gave to our father; we couldn’t have done it without you!

Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels. To send your condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com