Larry Schlapia

Larry Schlapia, 83, of Creston died Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at Creston Specialty Care in Creston. Celebration of Life Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 6, 2021, at First Baptist Church in Creston. Pastor Dave Tebbenkamp will officiate. Masks are encouraged but not required and seat yourself as you feel comfortable.

Services will be livestreamed on Powers Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery in Creston. Open visitation, with family receiving friends will be 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, at First Baptist Church in Creston. Memorials are to the First Baptist Church in Creston. Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.

Larry Lee Schlapia was born March 19, 1937, in rural Ringgold County, to Owen Leroy Schlapia and Hazel Jane (Cross) Schlapia. He grew up in the Diagonal area and was very involved in the school band as a first chair clarinet player, graduating from Diagonal High School in 1955.

He was a 4-H leader in Ringgold County after high school and attended Iowa State University for a year studying agriculture. Larry later returned to the farm to help his father.

On August 5, 1962, Larry was united in marriage to Mary Lee Hinegardner in Udell. Two boys were born to this union, Carlon and Aaron. They settled in the Ringgold County area where Larry continued to help his father farm and moved to Creston in 1973.

In addition to farming, Larry worked for Graceland Cemetery and helped his wife Mary Lee in their house cleaning business until last year. Larry was a member of the First Baptist Church in Creston.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Lee Schlapia of Creston; two sons, Aaron Schlapia of Creston and Carlon (Lavon) Schlapia of Creston; two grandchildren, Lindsey (Tim) Miller of Greenfield, Jessie (Steven) Irr of Winterset; five great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Elaine Hauck of Richmond, Virginia and many Schlapia cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Rev. Benjamin and Ethel Hinegardner and lots of cousins.