Larry W. Rector

Larry W. Rector, 72, a longtime resident of Bellevue, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, with his wife and children at his side in Heritage Village of Clyde, after a lengthy battle with dementia.

He was born Jan. 1, 1950, in Somerset, Ky., the son of Willie D. and Jessie Eubank Rector. He lived in Lorain, Ohio, until moving to Vermilion, Ohio, as a child. He graduated from Vermilion High School in 1968 and attended Ohio University for one year before transferring to Lorain Community College. During his school years, Larry began learning the plumbing trade while working with his father.

He married the former Margaret (Marge) M. Rothgery on May 20, 1972, in Lorain. The couple acknowledged their 50th wedding anniversary together quietly this past May while Larry was a patient in Heritage Village.

After working with his father, he was employed as a plumber for Milt Zimmerman Construction, in Bellevue, for 12 years, a position which brought him and his wife to Bellevue in 1975. He then worked for a Catawba Island construction firm, during which time he attended Terra Technical Community College to learn the HVAC trade. He then joined Johnson Plumbing and Heating, Huron, where he managed the heating and cooling department. After several years with Johnson, Larry formed his own Bellevue-based firm, Rector Plumbing and Heating, from where he retired in 2014 after his illness became apparent.

Larry was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church, Bellevue, where his deep faith prompted him to serve as a church trustee, Sunday school superintendent and Sunday school teacher, on the pastor-parish committee and as the “unofficial” church plumber. He also participated in two faith-related mission trips to the poverty-stricken Appalachia region in southeastern Ohio.

Larry belonged, for several years, to the Bellevue Lions Club, where he had served as president; to Bellevue Elks Lodge 1013, where he was a Past Exalted Ruler; to the local Touch the Heart Ministry, the Men’s Community Morning Bible Study and assisted with AWANA through Bellevue Alliance Church. He enjoyed bowling in the Elks’ and Stay Connected Leagues as well as playing men’s slo-pitch softball with the Elks. He also enjoyed camping with his family, hunting, fishing with his children, Mike and Laura; supporting his granddaughters, Michaela in cheerleading, Emma in softball, and Jessica in cheerleading and AFJROTC; and teaching Mike and his son-in-law, Jay, carpentry and plumbing skills for which both are very grateful. He was also known for his bountiful garden, social time with family and friends, working with his hands, and especially helping others in ways which allowed his “God-given talents” to benefit family, friends and strangers.

Larry is survived by his wife, Marge; son, Michael Rector, South Vienna, Ohio; daughter, Laura (Jay) Bauer, Bellevue; grandchildren, Michaela and Emma Bauer, and Jessica Rector; his mother, Jessie Rector Link, Olmsted Falls; sister, Sarah Duerk, North Olmsted; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, grandparents, and by several aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 2, at 12 noon in First United Methodist Church, 901 Northwest St., Bellevue, with the Rev. Justin Jump, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the church, under the care of Foos and Foos Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions, if desired, be made to: Southern Care Hospice, 9501 U.S. 250 N, Suite 2, Milan, OH 44846; or to First United Methodist Church, 901 Northwest St., Bellevue, OH 44811.

The family extends their deepest thanks and appreciation to Southern Care Hospice, Milan, and Heritage Village, Clyde, for the excellent, loving, end-of-life care they provided Larry.

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