Larry Joe Waltemate

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Larry Joe Waltemate, 66, of Du Quoin, passed away at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family.

Larry had been an over-the-road truck driver for 22 years. He was of the Lutheran faith. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the American Legion. Larry was an avid hunter, fisherman and bingo player.

He was born Nov. 12, 1945 at Chester, Ill., the son of Louis F. and Edith (Koontz) Waltemate.

He married JoAnn (Killingsworth) Pierce on March 29, 1971 at Du Quoin, Ill. and she survives.

He is survived by his wife of Du Quoin, five children - Jack Pierce of Du Quoin, Cindy Laur of Elkville, Tony Pierce and wife Trina of Beech Grove, Tenn., Jesse Pierce and wife Deanna of Benton and Micki Corley and husband Tom of Murphysboro, two sisters - Mary Carter of Salem and Norma Donavan of St. Genevieve, Mo., 16 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, two sisters and one grandson - Hayden Pierce.

Memorial services were at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with the family conducting the service.

Friends called from 5 p.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Burial was in the Old Du Quoin Cemetery at a later date.

Friends may make memorials to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.