Lauriston "Larry" B. Farnsworth

Lauriston "Larry" B. Farnsworth age 97, formerly of Greenville passed away Wednesday, August 29, 2018. He was born on the family farm (Farnsworth Farm), Montcalm County, Michigan on June 2, 1921 to Florence and Edson Farnsworth. Larry (affectionately known as “Doc”) attended 1 room Country School until Eighth grade and then Lakeview High School where he graduated in 1939. He attended Michigan State University where he became a founding member of the University’s Sigma Chi Fraternity Chapter. In 1943, Larry graduated from Michigan State with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. In 1944, Larry married Frances McCleery, whom he had met in college. The veterinary practice took them to Howell and then Edmore, MI during World War II as an essential war service. In 1946, they bought a practice of their own and settled in Litchfield, MI where they lived and ran the practice together until Fran’s death in 1982. In May of 1983, Larry married Lois Jackson, subsequently selling the practice in 1984 and moving to a new home he and Lois built at Farnsworth Farm. They enjoyed many wonderful years traveling and visiting with their 8 children and their many grandchildren from their melded family. Lois preceded Larry in death in March of 2016 at the age of 92. Always civic minded, Larry was quietly generous and blatantly honest. He was involved in the Litchfield Community as the founding President of the Litchfield Rotary Club (chartered September 18, 1950), member of the Planning Commission, Chairman of the Youth Council to name a few of his voluntary endeavors. He continued his support of the MSU Sigma Chi Chapter serving as President and on the Board of Directors. He and his first wife, Fran were active members of the South East Michigan Veterinary Association, Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, They attended many American Veterinary Medical Association meetings in various parts of the US. In later years, Larry was involved in the Greenville Rotary Club. One of his greatest joys was following Michigan State University football. He held season tickets for 66 happy years, missing less than 20 games and sitting through the good, the bad and the good. Larry’s love was Farnsworth Farm. He and Fran started a wholesale Christmas tree growing business there in 1957 as a means to put their 5 children through college. Larry and Fran were avid members of the Heart of Michigan Tree Growers Association and Michigan Christmas Tree Association. The practical joker who lived joyfully, Doc leaves a legacy of a long, productive life - a testament to his Puritan work ethic that his family will remember for generations to come. Larry’s family includes 5 children- Dick (Jane), Greg, Brad, (Sheryl), Doug, (Michelle), Laurie Mortensen (Jim); stepchildren, Judy Monroe (Tom), Jeff Jackson and Tom Burchman; 17 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother Florence on April 11, 1981, father Edson on November 11, 1981, first wife Frances on March 18, 1982, second wife Lois on March 9, 2016 and his step daughter Jan Burchman in 2005. Funeral Services will be 2 PM Saturday, September 1, 2018 at the Lakeview Congregational Church, 115 Fifth Street (Fifth and Lincoln), Lakeview, MI 48850, with Pastor Steve Charnley officiating. Visitation will from 1 PM till the service at the church with internment immediately afterword at Riverside Cemetery, Langston. The family will welcome friends to the family farm at 4250 Greenville Road, Lakeview. Memorial contributions can be made in Larry’s name to the Greenville Rotary Club for a Scholarship.