Lawrence Joseph “Larry” Staats, 69, of rural Macy, Indiana, died at 6:51 pm, Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on February 8, 1952, in Vincennes, Indiana, to Roy William and Beatrice “Betty” (Haaff) Staats.
Larry married Marilyn (Musselman) Friend at their home in rural Macy, Indiana on September 23, 1983. He was a US Army veteran. Larry was a retired self employed mechanic, and also owned Staats and Sons Auto Junkyard. He was a member of A.A. the past 34 years. Larry enjoyed driving in Demolition Derbies, and won over 100 derbies. He also enjoyed cooking and his rescue dogs and his special dog, “Joey”.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Staats of Macy; four children, Samantha (Richard) St. John of Macy, Jennifer (Robert) Sprague of Carmel, Indiana, Amy (Jason St. John) Brown of Kokomo, Indiana, Jayson (Joanie) Staats of Macy, 13 grandchildren, Randy (Alisha) Ward, Marcus Ward, Estella Ward, James Ward, Robby Sprague, Harry Sprague, Julie Bever, Brad Bever, Ashley Staats, Kristina Staats, Teagan (Braden) See, Matthew Staats, and Kaitlyn Snell, 7 great-grandchildren, sisters and brothers, Beverly (Mike) Urschel and Doug (Rose) Staats, both of Wabash, Indiana, Bill Staats, Darin (Carla) Staats, Gary Staats, and Melissa (Coy) Hawkins, all of Fort Worth, Texas, and William Staats of Kentucky; step mother Dianne Staats of Fort Worth. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.
Funeral services will be 4:00 pm, Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Roann Chapel, 335 S. Chippewa Rd., Roann, with Corky Cordes officiating. Friends may call 4-7 pm Monday, at the funeral home. The family requests Demolition Derby attire be worn.
Preferred memorial is Animal Shelter of Wabash County.
The memorial guest book for Larry may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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