Larry Mattox

With over eight decades of life, those who knew Larry Mattox will certainly agree that he kept his focus on what mattered most through it all. He was a constant source of strength and unwavering determination, and he brought a spark of joy to every room he walked into. A devoted brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Larry always made sure his family members and friends knew just how much they were loved. His friendly humor and insatiable zest for life was contagious, and as a leader within his family and his community, he was a shining role model for many. Deeply loved, Larry will be forever missed.

The late 1930s were tumultuous years around the world and the Great Depression made everyday life difficult for families across the country. Meanwhile, tensions surrounding WWII continued to escalate overseas. During such a dark chapter in history, however, there was a ray of light in the lives of Clyde and Evelyn (Miller) Mattox of Plymouth, Indiana, as they awaited the arrival of their first child with great anticipation. It was on April 14, 1937 that they were happy to announce the birth of their son, Larry.

Growing up, Larry was raised in a modest home on Eagle Lake near Edwardsburg, Michigan, but summers were spent on his grandparents and great uncle’s farm in Indiana, where he loved to drive the tractor and feed the turkeys. Larry was known to get into his fair share of mischief. He and his friends would often play jokes to get attention, even on the local police! At a young age, Larry discovered a love for fishing that would stay with him throughout his entire life. His father taught him to hunt as well, creating some of his favorite memories together.

When he was a teenager, he was joined in the Mattox family by his younger brother, Art. Larry was a senior in high school when his family suffered a devastating loss with the death of their father. Since Art was very young at the time, Larry stepped up to help raise his younger brother. Larry completed his education and graduated from Edwardsburg High School, eager to see what the future held in store.

Exciting changes were on the horizon for Larry as he met the beautiful young woman who would quickly become the love of his life. Her name was Susan Heed, and the two were first introduced through Sue’s sister. Immediately smitten, Larry asked Sue out to a ballgame. He was a charmer with a great set of wheels, a ‘56 Chevy convertible, so of course Sue had to say yes. And the rest is history. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Larry and Sue were married on April 29, 1957. The first few years as husband and wife were marked with the financial struggles that many young couples experience. They learned how to live frugally and pinch their pennies when they needed to, skills that would help them thrive later in life.

Over the years, Larry worked in a variety of jobs. He was working at a marina when he and Sue first got married, but he soon moved on to selling life insurance for a short time. After being recruited by a friend, Larry stepped into his career in banking at First Commercial Savings Bank in Edwardsburg. He had a good mind for numbers, and a talent for working with people. Recognizing his talent, the bank sent Larry for training at the University of Wisconsin School of Banking over two summers. He made his way up the ranks, becoming branch manager and later vice president. In 1981, Larry and his family moved to Petoskey, Michigan where he took the position of President for Michigan National Bank-North. He would later lead several other banks in both Michiana and Northern Michigan. Throughout his banking career Larry was known for his respect of employees, compassion for clients, and dedication to his community.

Of all the things Larry loved in life, there was nothing he treasured more than his family. He and Sue were overjoyed to welcome their three beloved sons, William, Thomas, and Richard, and one precious daughter, Laura, into their hearts and home. Larry thrived in his role as a father, and his children were truly his greatest source of pride and happiness. He passed his love of fishing and hunting down to his kids. The family built a house on Eagle Lake, the backdrop for countless memories. Larry loved their life on the lake, from setting off fireworks on the 4th of July (he was a bit of a pyro enthusiast) to snowmobiling in the winter. They always had tons of fun.

Larry was the leader and captain of their family trips to Florida. Sanibel was one of their favorite destinations, where they would rent a cottage and ride bikes all over the island. Later, Larry was thrilled to become a grandfather and even a great-grandfather. He doted on his grandkids, taking each of them on special trips. He enjoyed playing numerous Five Crown games with family and friends. Larry cherished the quality time spent with his loved ones, and he nurtured many close relationships with friends, neighbors, and Presbyterian Church family as well. He considered himself truly blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

In 1995, he and Sue built their dream home, complete with a barn and horse corral, near Boyne City, Michigan, overlooking Lake Charlevoix, where they lived for 30 years. They shared a love for animals and had numerous beloved pets including their Tennessee Walker “Wizzie” the Wizard of Nod.

Throughout his entire life, Larry was an avid outdoorsman. He would walk miles in search of morel mushrooms, and had prized collections of fishing poles and hunting guns. Larry took up salmon fishing and enjoyed hunting white-tail deer and turkeys. He’d also venture together with family members on trips to the Rockies for elk hunting, Northern Michigan for partridge hunting, or Canada for moose hunting and walleye fishing. It was Larry’s passion for the outdoors that led him to be an early riser, waking before the sun, and often waking up everyone else in the house along with him.

Larry was a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, and Shriners. He was also an active participant in the Lions Club, helping with their Christmas tree sales and recruiting his children to help as well. Never one to sit still, Larry could often be found working on his projects around the house including building his own deck. He and Sue loved watching Notre Dame football and basketball games and had season tickets for over 20 years.

When reflecting on all that Larry did in his life, it is easy to see both his unwavering perseverance and his unconditional love for his family. His sense of humor could bring a smile to anyone’s face, and he exemplified what it meant to go above and beyond to serve others selflessly. Although he is already so greatly missed, Larry leaves behind the torch of his legacy that his friends and family will be proud to pick up and carry on in his footsteps.

Larry passed away at the age of 88, on February 4, 2026, in Kalamazoo Michigan. Survivors include his wife: Susan; children: William (Elisabeth) Mattox, Thomas (Virginia) Mattox, Richard (Tiffany) Mattox, and Laura (Joseph) Ciucci; grandchildren: Amy (Coulter) Berry, Jenifer Crago, Kimberly (Jake) Bower, Stephanie (Michael) Farrance, Scott (Miranda) Mattox, Joshua (Dianna) vanOverbeek, Marissa (Tim) Lenger, Justin Mattox, Aidan Ciucci, Nicholas Ciucci; great-grandchildren: Austin, Taylor, Ella, Emery, Maeve, Vada, Colton, Jameson, Emmi, Sutton, Landon, and one on the way; and brother-in-law, Robert (Juanita) Heed and sister in law, Lydia Mattox. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Arthur Mattox; and sister-in-law, Nancy Heed Proctor.

A memorial is being planned for this spring. Celebrate Larry’s life online by sharing stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial donations may be made to The American Cancer Society or Samaritan’s Purse. Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Homes, 60900 M40, Paw Paw, (269) 375-2900.