Larry Wayne Wedding, 68, passed away Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 in Salem, Missouri, leaving behind many family members and friends who loved him as much as he loved them.

Larry was born March 24, 1944, in Owensborough, Kentucky, to Joseph Sylvester Wedding and Sidney C. Nash. When he was in the 10 ^th grade, the family moved from Kentucky to Missouri. He graduated from Parkway High School in 1962 and married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Craft, on January 26, 1963. They would have been married 50 years in January 2013.

Larry and Shirley had two precious children, Kim and Brian and they lived in Ballwin, MO, during his working career. During his kids' school years, Larry was active in the PTA and served as president. He also coached t-ball and after school sports. Larry provided for his family by working 30 years at Chrysler and was a member of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, before retiring as supervisor in 1992. From an early age, Larry enjoyed hot rod cars, basketball and baseball.  He truly loved working on old cars – he and his son Brian restored a Camaro and Larry restored a '49 Chevy pickup truck.

Larry enjoyed camping and made many friends everywhere he went. He also loved trout fishing and water skiing. He combined these interests by camping with his family at places near and far, from Clearwater Lake in Piedmont, Missouri to Brooksville, Florida, where he spent 20 winters. In 1999, Larry and Shirley moved to Davisville where they attended the Davisville Assembly of God Church. Larry was especially fond of Montauk State Park and found a camping family there. Larry would even meet up with his camping friends for meals during the winter months. He also enjoyed taking long trips and short spins on his four wheelers.

Larry is fondly remembered as a bighearted storyteller who loved to tell jokes and entertain his audiences – be they family (and he had a big family) or friends (he had plenty of those too). He was an amazing father and grandfather, and he never met a stranger. He was admired for looking on the bright side of things, not dwelling on the negative, and always focusing on moving forward despite any setbacks.

Larry loved having visitors over and his house was always open. He enjoyed cooking for others, eating and entertaining. He was often the host for Wedding family dinners and reunions that sometimes numbered more than 50 people. He was famous for his fish frys, BBQs, pancake suppers and trash can cook outs and the accompanying storytelling.

Larry is survived by his loving wife Shirley; daughter Kim and Paul Wilfley of High Ridge, MO; and son Brian of Maryville, MO. He leaves behind four beloved grandchildren: Christopher Wayne Hale and Alicia of Cedar Hill, MO; Amanda Hale and Dustin Bequette of High Ridge, MO, Kelli Ann Wilfley of High Ridge, MO and Ethan Wayne Wedding of Maryville, MO; and two precious great-grandchildren  Alexa Lynn Hale of Cedar Hill, and Natalie Eileen Bequette of High Ridge, MO. Larry is preceded in death by his parents, brother Joseph Wedding and sister Rebecca McKain.

Larry will also be deeply missed by his sisters: Pat and John Takacs of Lebanon, MO; Brenda and Gary Davis of Dewey, OK; Margie and Jack Turnbough of Davisville, MO; sisters-in-law Charlotte Hall of Herman, MO; and Trinka Wedding of Manchester, MO; and brothers-in-law Louis McKain of Indianapolis, IN and Richard Craft. Larry will be missed by his many nieces, nephews and extended family members, as well as his many friends.

The Family received friends from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2012 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Bro. Ron Walter officiating. Special music of "Amazing Grace" and "Precious Memories" was played.

Graveside services were held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 21, 2012 at St. John's  United Church of Christ Cemetery, Manchester, MO.

Honored to be casket bearers were nephews.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.