Larry John Stelling, 74, of Cole Camp, went to meet his Lord on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. He had been a resident at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Cole Camp since September of 2022. Larry was born on June 1, 1950, in Sedalia, Missouri, a son of Hillard J. and Josephine A. (Reinert) Stelling.
On June 25, 1950, he was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church by Pastor Henry J. Gerike and attended Trinity Lutheran Grade School. Larry was confirmed on March 22, 1964, at Trinity Lutheran Church by Pastor Loren Krout and upon eighth grade graduation attended Cole Camp High School. While in school, he played basketball and during high school, helped Coach Farrington get his career off to a fantastic start. He graduated with the Class of 1968 and attended CMSU in Warrensburg, Missouri, where he was an active member of Delta Chi fraternity and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1972. Upon graduating from college, Larry returned to Cole Camp where he began working for the Citizens Farmers Bank.
On August 20, 1972, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, he was united in marriage to his college sweetheart Donna Smarr. This union was blessed with three sons: Kelly, Cameron, and Neil.
Larry worked his entire career at the Citizens Farmers Bank where he became president in 1993 and retired in 2016. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Larry was always actively involved in his community, where he was an active member of the Cole Camp Jaycee's, Cole Camp Fair board, Cole Camp Chamber of Commerce, Community Betterment Association, Missouri Bankers Association, Cole Camp Pool board, car show chairman, Lutheran School board and chaired many other community events. His dedication to his faith was evident in his long-standing role as a church usher at Trinity Lutheran Church from 1967 to 2021.
He grew up hunting and especially liked to hunt quail. Larry found a love for travel and adventure. He enjoyed driving his classic cars and taking his Jeep on trips, especially through the rough terrain at Black Bear Pass in Telluride, Colorado. He liked to ride his dirt bike and spent many days riding his motorcycles with his brothers and friends. Larry and Donna traveled to Mexico, Germany, Ireland, Spain, and Alaska making unforgettable memories together.
Larry is survived by his wife, Donna Smarr Stelling, his brother Leon Pete Stelling and wife Dianne, his mother-in-law Martha Smarr, his three sons Kelly Stelling and fiancé Angela, son Cameron Stelling and wife Ashly and son Neil Stelling. Three grandsons: Hudson, Kaiser, and Blake Stelling and many more family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hillard and Josephine Stelling, his father-in-law, Donald Smarr, his brothers, Bob Reinert and wife Helen and Vernon Stelling and wife Sharon, and his niece, Joann Riggins.
Larry's kindness, wisdom, and sense of humor touched the lives of many. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.
The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 23, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp where funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Gregory Truwe officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery near Cole Camp. Pallbearers will be Kelly Stelling, Cameron Stelling, Neil Stelling, Hudson Stelling, Kaiser Stelling, and Blake Stelling.
The family suggests memorial contributions be given to Lutheran School Association or Cole Camp Swimming Pool in care of the Fox Funeral Home, PO Box 37, Cole Camp, MO 65325.
