Paul L. "Larry" Bales

October 19, 1932 - May 27, 2019

Paul L. “Larry” Bales, age 86 of Mattoon, IL passed away at 12:20 AM, Monday, May 27, 2019 at Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon, IL. A funeral service in his honor will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, May 30, 2019 at Mattoon First United Methodist Church, 1601 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938; Reverend Michael Smith will officiate and Reverend Robert Clark will assist. A committal service will follow in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston, IL. The visitation is from noon until the time of service at the church. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home is in charge of services. Larry was born on October 19, 1932 in Charleston, IL the son of the late Paul E. and M. Marie (Ringo) Bales. He married Shirley J. Moore on December 9, 1956 in Mattoon, IL; she preceded him in death on May 15, 2000. He later married Susan E. Blackford on February 14, 2004 at Mattoon First United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Susan Bales of Mattoon, IL; two children, David K. Bales and wife Jacqueline of Charleston, IL, Diane K. Smith and husband Michael of Yale, IL; two step-children, Paul E. Beals of Charleston, IL, Rosanne Reynolds and husband Greg of Shelbyville, IL; two grandchildren, Aaron M. and Alyssa M. Bales of Charleston, IL; two step-children, Matthew Helton of Urbana, IL, Aimee Christner and husband Jacob of Shelbyville, IL; and two step great-grandchildren, Silas and Kairi-Jean Christner of Shelbyville, IL. Larry honorably served our country in the Army from 1954-1956 in Germany. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. Larry taught Biology for Carrollton Community Unit School System for thirty-five years before his retirement. He was a former member of First Baptist Church in Carrollton, IL and First Christian Church in Mattoon, IL and member of Mattoon First United Methodist Church. Larry belonged to Lions Club of Mattoon and Carrollton. Larry was known for his green thumb when it came to flower and vegetable gardening. He traveled all over the world to many interesting places; his favorite adventure was an African safari. When not traveling internationally, Larry enjoyed spending his winters in Fort Myers Beach, FL. He was a kind and humble man who loved nothing more than time spent with his friends and family. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family.