Larry Webster Warnell, 75 of Marshalltown, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 29th, 2017 at his home.

Funeral services for Larry will be held on Tuesday, December 5th, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be on Monday, December 4th, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Memorials may be directed to the family. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Larry and his family. 

Larry Warnell was born on July 11, 1942 in Marshalltown to Clay and Charlcie “Marie” Godfrey Warnell. He attended grade school in Hudson, IA. Larry graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1960. He began working for Fisher Controls as a machine operator in June of 1960. He was a member of the UAW. In August of 1961, Larry enlisted in the United States Army. After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Larry rose to the rank of Army Sargent EF-5 in an unprecedented 18 months. He served on the 3rd Infantry Old Guard. Larry was also a member of the elite 2nd Army Traveling Rifle Team where he earned numerous trophies and ribbons as well as the Expert Rifleman Badge. Larry was chosen to be one of the Best of the Best. He spent the majority of his military service in our nation’s capital. While stationed there, he participated in historic events such as John F Kennedy’s Inaugural parade, had numerous ceremonial duties associated with President Kennedy’s four-day State funeral, and performed military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Larry was also a part of the grave control for several months following President Kennedy’s funeral. Larry’s Old Guard unit was responsible for crowd control at Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Larry thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Army and often spent time reminiscing.

After his service, Larry returned to Marshalltown and continued his employment at Fisher Controls. Larry took a position with the Industrial Engineering Department, where he remained until his retirement in May of 2003. Larry spent 43 years with Fisher Controls. After his retirement, he had various jobs, the most recent as a beloved school bus driver with the Marshalltown Community School District. 

Larry has been an active member of the American Legion Post 46 for 51 years. He was also a member of the Marshalltown Combined Honor Guard with the VFW Post 839 and the American Legion Post 46. 
Larry is survived by his wife of 17 years, Connie. Children: Jeff (Sandy) Warnell of Conrad, Shelly Brownfield of Marshalltown, and Amy (Ryan) Casey of Cedar Rapids. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Katie, MaKayle, Genessa, Quincy, Mackenzie (Cody), Bailey, Phillip, Clarissa, Caleb, and Harper as well as great grandchildren Logan, Jordan, Mariah, Brooklyn, Parker, Lyric, and Emmary. He is survived by siblings: Gary (Marilyn) Warnell of Marshalltown, Dick (Donna) Warnell of Marshalltown, and Terry (Trudi) Warnell of New Mexico, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clay and Marie, grandparents, and several aunts and uncles, including his special friend, his Uncle Mac.

Larry was looking forward to the next chapter of his life. Larry and Connie were planning to sell their home and travel and explore the western part of the United States. They were looking forward to visiting friends and family along the way. Larry was always up for an adventure and loved spending time with family while vacationing on the Alabama Gulf Coast. His favorite outdoor activities were golfing, hunting and fishing, traveling, and boating of any kind. Larry Warnell never knew a stranger. He would help anyone in need and he was always someone you could depend on. Larry created many lasting memories that his family and friends will cherish forever.

A special tribute to Larry Warnell by Roy Bradbury
 

First of all, my sincere condolences to Connie and the Warnell family.

We all have lost a true loved one, a true friend. Larry Warnell was the perpetual optimist and positive, no nonsense, influence to all he came in contact with. The room always lit up when Larry arrived, with his shaved head, high neck white T-shirt and “Mr. Clean” smile and physique, a true gift.

You wouldn’t have met a more giving and caring person. I feel we have been blessed to have had Larry Warnell in our lives.

We all have a lot of acquaintances and a few friends, Larry was a true friend to many of us. A dedicated family man always working to make life better for his family and those around him. A true ROLE MODEL in so many ways.

Larry was our “resident expert” in our Marshalltown Combined Honor Guard. His military experience as a chosen Arlington National Cemetery 3rd Army Division Honor Guard member speaks volumes for Larry’s professional qualities.

Larry was additionally chosen to to be part of the Best of the Best to guard duty for all parts of President Kennedy’s funeral services in Washington, D.C. From receiving President Kennedy’s body at the airport to guarding the president lying in state in the White House Rotunda, Larry was there.

Larry served on the Arlington Cemetery Honor Guard for two years performing military honors for many hundreds of military funerals, our “resident expert.”

It was around Larry’s expertise and recognition of the benefits of working together that the Marshalltown Combined Honor Guard with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 839 and American Legion Post 46 and surrounding posts came about.

THANK YOU LARRY WARNELL!

All of us here have our own memories of how Larry Warnell touched our lives. I for one, will hold these memories the rest of my life as I am sure many of you will too. Good bye GOOD FRIEND, for now, we will miss you.

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