Larry Hoepfner, 80, of East Moline, passed away Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Illini Restorative Care, Silvis, IL, surrounded by his wife and children. Funeral services will be 10 am Monday, February 27, 2023, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Silvis. Visitation will be from 2-4 pm Sunday at the Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline, where a rosary will be recited at 1 pm.

Larry was born June 21, 1942 in Oelwein, Iowa, the son of Ernest and Myrtle Hoepfner. He grew up farming in the fields of Iowa until his family eventually wanted to move to Florida, but their car broke down in Illinois and they decided to settle there. Larry graduated from United Township High School in 1961 and then joined the Marine Corps. He was trained on radio electronics and worked on setting up portable air traffic control towers. It was during his time in the Marines that Larry met the love of his life, Katherine 'Ruth' (Volkers) Hoepfner, while stationed in Yuma, AZ. It was love at first sight and they were married six months later. After being in the Marines for over 4 years, Larry was honorably discharged. Larry and Ruth moved back to the Quad Cities and started their life together. They raised 5 children while Larry worked so Ruth could stay home and be with their children. He worked at Trinity Hospital in Rock Island for more than 30 years. Larry's true passion was his family, he was never without a family member nearby, and he devoted his everything to them. Larry enjoyed nothing more than spending time with all of them, and frequently traveled to visit family members all the way from Florida to Alaska. Larry was a great dancer, and there was never a wedding where he wouldn't drag his family out to the dance floor with him. He considered his family to be his best and greatest accomplishment. Larry's other interests included buying and refurbishing houses, collecting and remodeling antique furniture, collecting model trains, giving pontoon boat rides from his cabin on the Rock River, and making burn piles so large the fire department would come by. There was no project Larry couldn't fix or figure out, even if his solutions weren't always 'traditional'. Larry defined handy in the word handyman. His easy laugh, friendly smile, and bushy mustache will be truly missed by all. Larry is survived by his wife Ruth, their five children; John (Christine) Hoepfner, David (Angela) Hoepfner, Paul Hoepfner (Lisa Sprouse), Jill (Rick) Hogan, Amy (Josh) Parker; 17 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren plus a few more on the way; his sisters, June Diercks and Donna Fink. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Myrtle Hoepfner; brother, Duane Hoepfner; sister, Patricia Keith-Davis.

Memorials may be made to Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, IA.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com