Larry Joe Hilsabeck
Larry Joe Hilsabeck
Larry Joe Hilsabeck was born October 12, 1939 in Guilford, Missouri to Lawrence E. Hilsabeck and Norma G. (Rimel) Hilsabeck and passed from this life on March 12, 2016. He attended a one room schoolhouse for grades 1 thru 6. He later attended South Nodaway High School in Barnard, Missouri. He played basketball, football and all other sports. He played the alto saxophone in band and was drum major his last 2 years of high school.
After high school he attended Northwest Missouri University where he played basketball and worked part time. On Larryís 20th birthday, he met Elaine Gilmore, and on November 25, 1960, they were married. The marriage produced 3 sons.
Larry graduated from Northwest in August, 1961 and that same month started to work at Philips Roxane, Inc. which later became Boehringer Ingelheim. After training, Larry did the QC testing on the recently licensed red measles vaccine and under government contract was instrumental in the licensure of the rubella vaccine.
As Philips Roxanne dropped out of the human vaccine, Larry worked as manager of several departments in the animal health industry. Larry also worked in several capacities with the VBS/AHI, a trade group that negotiated changes with the government and international requirements. This allowed many travel opportunities.
Larry took early retirement the last day of the last century, December 31, 1999. Larry then began his real estate career at Conroy Real Estate and a couple of years later changed to Coldwell Banker General Properties. He enjoyed finding that special home or property for buyers and marketing a sellerís residence.
A sports enthusiast, he enjoyed playing sports into his early 50ís. He also coached and watched his kids and grandkids participate in all their activities. He enjoyed all outdoor activities including hunting, and fishing, farm work and travel. He also enjoyed time with friends. After retirement he and Elaine traveled to Alaska, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, British Isles, Ireland, Hawaii and the Caribbean.
The light of his life was his family. He is survived by his wife, Elaine; three sons, Rod (Stacy) of Olathe, Kansas, Brad (Andrea) of Lafayette, California and Ryan (Emily) of Country Club, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Sophia, Hailey, Preston, Tyson, Taylor, Trey and Luka Hilsabeck; two step grandchildren, Dacy Corlee and Darby Clymer and 5 step great grandchildren; brother, Jack (Vetra) Hilsabeck of St. Joseph; sister, Linda (Jerry) Scott of Maryville, Missouri; one aunt, Virginia Hilsabeck of Ft. worth, Texas and uncle, Kenneth Diggs of Savannah, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
He was a member of United Methodist Church of Savannah, Missouri.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Second Harvest Food Bank of St. Joseph or Andrew County Ministries Backpack Buddies Program. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
