Lawrence E. “Larry” Milner, 84, of West Liberty, Iowa, formerly of Alexis, IL passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at the Simpson Memorial Home, West Liberty, IA.
Larry was born April 21, 1942 in Aledo, IL, the son of Charles and Edythe (Davis) Milner. He was raised and educated in the Alexis area, graduating from Alexis High School in 1960.
Larry married Sharon Loquist on December 14, 1963 in Lytton, IA. The were married just one month shy of 48 years before her passing on November 11, 2011.
He later married Donna B. Schulz on June 1, 2013 in Aledo, IL, and she survives.
Larry worked many jobs throughout his life. He worked for 5 years at Farmall in Rock Island, IL then 5 years at Gates Rubber Company in Galesburg, IL. After realizing he didn’t want to be in management any longer, he spent the next 24 years of his life farming for Hunter Farms outside of Alexis. For the rest of his working life, he had a variety of jobs but spent his last working ears inspecting homes and business for mortgage companies. He was an active member of the Alexis United Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed woodworking, and making barn quilts for many barns in both Illinois and Iowa. He liked reading, especially C.S. Lewis books and was a Chicago Bears and Cubs fan.
Larry was asked to write a book about himself a few years back and when he was posed the question, “What matters most in life, he responded, I think what matters most changes as you travel through life, but family has been what has mattered most, for all of my life, and faith is just as important. I think through faith you know who are and how you cope with life”. Larry certainly cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He also spent many years of his life serving his church. He did everything from serve on the session to spraying unwanted weeds outside the building.
Survivors include his wife, Donna; son Mark Milner and Greg Milner; his daughter, Julie (John) Olin; grandchildren, Matthew (Corey), Meg (Jake), Rayne and Eli (Liv); his great grandsons, Henry and Miles Gavin; sisters, Gloria Swihart and Dariel Milner; brother-in-law, Dale Tornquist and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Sharon; siblings and in-laws, Ilah (Edward) Logsdon, Charles (Florence) Milner, Mary (Ernie) Brown, Lewis (Edith) Milner, Shirley Tornquist and infant sister, Louella Milner.
Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at the Alexis United Presbyterian Church, Alexis. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Interment will be at the Alexis Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Alexis United Presbyterian Church or the Iowa City Hospice and sent to the Funeral Home. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL is in charge of the arrangements. For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com
