Larry Eugene Sylvester

Larry Eugene Sylvester, 89, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Friday, August 22, 2025, surrounded by his family at Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. A visitation will be held from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, with a memorial service to immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. A livestream of the memorial service may be accessed on the funeral home website tribute page for Larry, under “videos,” starting at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at Dunkard Cemetery in Toddville, Iowa.

Larry was born on October 1, 1935, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Charles and Edytha (Due) Sylvester. He was a graduate of Central City High School and went on to attend Wessington Springs Junior College. On June 15, 1956, Larry was united in marriage to the love of his life, Bethel Joy Schmickle, at the Toddville Free Methodist Church. Together they built a home filled with love, laughter, and faith. He owned and operated his own electrical wholesale business, Butterfield Rayborn Electric. Larry was a member of the Electrical Union IBEW Local 405 and the Cedar Valley Wood Carvers. He would sing little jingles to his grandchildren while strumming on the Ukulele. Larry enjoyed playing marbles and carving with friends and family. His faith was a firm foundation he built his life around. More than anything, Larry loved his family time. His kindness, steady presence, and humor will be remembered by all who knew him.

Larry is survived and lovingly remembered by his two sons, Philip (Cindy) and Mark Sylvester; two daughters-in-law, Kim Sylvester and Lisa Roth; grandchildren, Teisha (Patrick) Heft, Luke Sylvester, Cody Sylvester, Jered Sylvester, and Tyler (Allie) Sylvester; great-grandchildren, Austin (Sarah) Heft, Abbigail (Collin) Costello, Alicia (Will) Heft, Quentin Sylvester, Rory Sylvester, Harper Sylvester, Kane Sylvester, Madeline Joy Sylvester, Abel Sylvester, and Wade Sylvester; sister, Sharon (Bob) Allen; and brother, Chuck Sylvester.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bethel Sylvester; son, Dennis Sylvester; brothers, Don and Tom Sylvester; sister, Juanita (Earl) Kuhnhofer; stepfather, Leroy Wood; and sister-in-law, Kathy Sylvester.

Memorials in Larry’s memory may be directed to the family.