Larry Mynhier
Larry Mynhier, known to many folks as S.C. passed away on May 2, 2024, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. He was scheduling a fishing trip somewhere, sometime soon with his fishing pals.
He was born August 17, 1949, in Angola, IN, to the late Harold “Stub” Mynhier and Joan (Jo-ann Phillips) Mynhier. He grew up with a big brother, the late Jerry Mynhier, a younger brother, the late Eric Mynhier and a younger sister, Jane Dilts (Bruce). He graduated from Prairie Heights High School, attended Glen Oaks Community College in its founding year and received a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. He received his life degree from the University of Vietnam.
Larry married Janice (Fuhrer) Mynhier in 1975. Together, they had two loving daughters, Mandy Marie Mynhier-Lake (Gordon) and Carrie Mynhier (Tom Milham). After their divorce, Janice and Larry did not remain friends.
For the past 39 years, Larry cherished his relationship and marriage with Kathie Vaught. Larry loved going out with his bride to check out new or just different restaurants. He is survived by daughters by love, Stacey Vaught (Jim Macauly) and Shana (Jeff) Holden.
Larry was affectionately known to some of his grandkids as Grandpa Truck. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s extracurricular events, including soccer games, theater performances and dance recitals and birthdays.
Larry is survived by seven grandchildren in birth order, Claire, Grayden, Morgan, Porter, Lorelei, Spencer, Emmett. He has a large extended family.
He was full of laughter and wit, though some laughter came from raw jokes and a little of the wit was gentle. During his 74 years of life, he used many unique phrases from his boyhood time on his grandparents (Claude and Delsie) farm. He was raised in the second home on the farm with Stub and Joan.
Larry loved fishing! He would go fishing every time there was someone to go with. If his friends were not available, the family (Kathie, Stacey and Shana) were drafted for a fishing trip. He loved to fish with his friend, John Wood and will probably see him soon (whether it is a hot place or not). Larry also did a lot of deer hunting as he loved the taste of venison-no trophies, you can’t eat the antlers.
His career in state government was always in an area to assist people, collect their unpaid wages or to operate the weatherization program. He always loved the work but did not enjoy some of the people he worked with. He took an early retirement at 52 years of age.
His second career was representing Santa Claus, getting everyone to visit and tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Larry did this for 18 years enjoying the thousands of children, but some of the parents and grandmothers were put on the naughty list. HO! HO! HO!
Later in life as he matured, he started making sawdust in his pole barn. He enjoyed making things for his family like birdhouses, Christmas ornaments, trees of life and more.
While the boat was docked on Larry’s life, he will remain in your thoughts (maybe some of you lucky ones will have a picture of him). We will think of him every time we see someone in a boat, fishing or experience ooh ooh that smell, and every year when you see the man in the red suit. HO! HO! HO!
No flowers, NO funeral, he wanted to be cremated (in preparation just in case he goes where it’s hot). Maybe a memorial sometime, maybe not. Take a kid fishing.
This obituary was drafted by Larry, one of his final wishes was to share his own life story.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.