Lawrence E. (Larry) Hurst, age 80, of Waterford, loving husband of Thelma (Troyer) Hurst for 59 years, left this life to be with his heavenly Father on June 2, 2010.
Larry was born in Wadsworth, OH on October 12, 1929. After graduating from Goshen College, where he met his wife Thelma, he moved to her hometown of Waterford. In Waterford, Larry founded and operated Hurst Potato Sales for 35 years until his retirement in 1995. During this time he also was co-owner of several John Deere Equipment Dealerships, and he built and leased commercial real estate.
Larry’s love of aviation enabled him to travel throughout the United States and Canada, piloting his own airplane for both business and pleasure. Also, a great enjoyment for him was his yearly elk hunting trip to Idaho.
Larry was a past member of numerous agriculture organizations and was the former treasurer of the Fort LeBoeuf School Board. He was a member of the Beaverdam Mennonite Church for 55 years and attended Bahia Vista Mennonite Church in Sarasota, FL during the winter months.
Besides his loving wife Thelma, Larry is survived by three sons, Bryan Hurst and his wife Vicki of Waterford, Gordon Hurst of Apex, NC, and Jon Hurst and his wife Mary of Erie; a daughter, Valerie Hurst of Sharon, PA; and his grandchildren, Emily, Andrew and Jacob Hurst, Rebecca and Timothy Hurst, Laura and Peter Hurst, and Jared Hurst and Juliann Tamura. The eldest of six children, Larry is also survived by four brothers and one sister, Leonard, Carl, Ronald, and Gerald Hurst, and Violet Miller.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home of Waterford, 105 Walnut Street, on Saturday from 2-4 and 7-9pm. The funeral service will take place at the Beaverdam Mennonite Church on Sunday at 2:00pm officiated by Pastor Jay Conn. Interment will follow at Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stancliff Hose Company, PO Box 275, Waterford, PA 16441, or to a charity of one’s choice.
We send our deepest condolences to the Hurst family. We will always have fond memories of Larry flying up to our farm years ago. Larry was excellent pilot, salesman, very sincere, and a good friend of our family. He will be deeply missed in our hearts from the years of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family…
Steven A. Gallant Jr. & Family
My Mother; Marie Gallant
My Late Father; Steve A. Gallant Sr. Owner/Operator; Steve Gallant & Son Potatoe Farm
Our love goes out to the Hurst family. I have been a dear friend to John for years. Even though we are competitors in the potato business, our freindship has truely grown. I can remember as a kid, collecting potato samples here in upstate New York, so Larry could fly in and take the samples back to the potato chip plant in Waterfotrd. He was a great freind to my father. Mrs. Hurst, my dad, Carl sends his love to your entire family. May the lord watch over each and every one of you.
Will always have fond memories of Larry, shared trips to Chesley Lake in Canada, were some of my favorites, listening to Larry and Don Martin share flying adventures, then being” taken to school” on the golf course.I remember Larry having bluegill for breakfast one morning , nothing better.
Still have pictures of Lenny and Larry with a stringer of fish 4 feet long hanging from the side of the boat.
Sorry we cannot be there with the rest of the family.
With Love and Prayers, Kevin, Laura and Corinne Spell
We were so sorry to hear of Uncle Larry’s death. I always remember Uncle Larry’s easy-going nature who loved to laugh and tell stories. He was a special person and will be missed greatly. One thing that I always thought special was the connection he and Aunt Thelma and I have sharing the same anniversary/birthday.
We send our prayers and thoughts to be with you at this time. God’s peace and comfort to you as you grieve and celebrate his life. With reassurance in Jesus, we rest in knowing that we will be reunited again.
With love,
Rachel, Shawn, Owen and Connor (Springer) Gerber
Larry, you were high on the list of cousins.We always enjoyed our visits with you and Thelma.I remember one time when you came to our cottage. You weren’t sure if you had slept on a bed of granite or limestone.I’m sure where you are now the bed will be more comfortable. May you rest in peace. Our love and sympathy to Thelma and the family. sincerely, Wally, Don & family
Uncle Larry always had a smile on his face, never complained about anything, never said a cross word about anyone, and ALWAYS had a big tight hug for everyone. What values for us all to live by! He loved Aunt Thelma and his family dearly. Not that he needed to tell anyone, but he would have done anything for Aunt Thelma.
We enjoyed spending time with him, especially in the years he wintered in Florida with Aunt Thelma. Our children, Brock and Megan, enjoyed going to see him and he knew how to interact with kids. He took our kids on bike rides, gave them “rare” coins, took them swimming at the pool, and as Megan told me in the car on Monday, “Mom, he’s the one that taught me how to make this face.” (You’ll have to have Grandma Peachey show you the face!) We valued the time we all went to the Troyer Reunion in Florida a few years back. Lots of conversation in the car about flying airplanes, near miss accidents, hunting adventures, and looking at lots in North Port. He was a generous man and enjoyed life to the fullest. Even when he would get too short of breath to play golf, you still did not hear him complain.
Our love and sympathy to the whole family. I am sorry we are not able to be with you at this time.
Megan asked me, “Mom is Uncle Larry in heaven?” I replied, “Yes, he is!” We have sorrow and tears now, but we will one day see him again!
Our love and prayers are with all you,
Steve, Mary, Brock, and Megan Bradley
I have many happy memories of Uncle Larry, flying with him in his Cessna as a boy, watching family slides, and evenings at the Hurst home — always with an ample supply of delicious ice cream. He did like his ice cream! He was also a good story teller, whether it was a tale from one of his many hunting trips, or recounting how he survived his somewhat rarer plane crashes we enjoyed listening to all the details with a few jokes thrown in.
Uncle Larry enjoyed music and had a fine voice. I enjoyed playing the piano in his home, hearing him sing with Mom and also hearing him sing in ensembles at church. He was a devoted and generous husband, father and grandfather. We will really miss him at our family gatherings. Uncle Larry was always kind, patient and considerate, a true gentleman.
We send our love and sympathy to Aunt Thelma and our cousins Bryan, Gordon, Jon, Valerie and their families. May you know our Heavenly Father’s comfort in your loss and find renewed hope in Jesus’ resurrection and promise that we who love Him will be with forever. John, Suzi, Seth, Joel, Naomi and Lily Peachey in England