Lawrence Dale Depue

Lawrence “Larry” Dale DePue, 79, of Buchanan went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, in Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo, following a massive stroke.

He was born Aug. 16, 1940 in Macy, Ind., to Lyle and Cleo (Mathias) DePue. On July 8, 1962 he married Iva Jean Smith and together they have served the Lord for 57 years.

Larry graduated from Grace College, Winona Lake, Ind., in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. In 1968 he graduated from St. Francis College, Ft. Wayne, Ind., with a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. He taught for five years in the Indiana public school system. Then for two years he was an Assistant Administrator of a nursing home (Shepherd’s Inn) in Knox, Ind. Larry has always enjoyed singing, art work, carpentry and seeing the Chicago Cubs play.

Larry and Jean and family moved to Winona Lake, where they served as full-time missionaries with Chapel Crusaders Mission. For six years Larry served as Office Manager and Deputation Secretary and Jean served as Office Secretary.

For 40 years they have served the Lord together reaching children for Christ and teaching the children and adults to love and live for Christ. They did this through Child Evangelism Fellowship of Southwest Michigan. Larry served as Director, and Jean as Secretary. Also, during 32 of those years, Larry served as Director of Christian Youth In Action Training for CEF of Michigan. They were both members of Berrien Center Bible Church where Larry served as Christian Ed. Director for over 10 years, as well as serving as a deacon and on the Elder board.

Larry is survived by his wife, Jean DePue of Buchanan; son, Matt (Graceanna) DePue of Edwardsburg; daughter, Laura (Mark) Herne of Waterford; four grandchildren: Aaron (Liz) DePue of Bridgman, Andrew (Chantel) DePue of Niles, Ethan and Grace Herne of Waterford; 14 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Lena Tomforde of Boca Raton, Fla.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John and Lloyd DePue; and sisters, Mary Swihart and Marjorie Davis.

Friends may visit with the family from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at Berrien Center Bible Church. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the church, with Pastor Maynard Schoen officiating. Burial will be at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles. Online memories www.allredfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Berrien Center Bible Church, 8830 M-140, Berrien Center 49102; or to Child Evangelism Fellowship of SW Michigan, 8941 Second Street, Berrien Center 49102.