Lawrence Neal Lyons

Lawrence N. Lyons, 84, passed away March 4, 2024 in Lafayette, Indiana. Larry was born July 15,1939 in Rensselaer, Indiana to Orpheus and Ida Lyons and was the last of their nine children. As a boy growing up in Brook, Indiana, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Larry graduated from Brook High School in 1957, excelling in baseball, basketball, FFA, and student government. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in PE/History Education at Ball State University in 1961.  He was a member of Theta Chi fraternity while at Ball State and later earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Purdue.

He married his sweetheart, Marcia “Becky” Wikle, on August 13, 1961. Larry began his teaching career at Wea School in Lafayette, then taught history, health and driver’s training at Southwestern High School and finally ended his 39 years of teaching at Wainwright Junior High School. He coached baseball and basketball at these schools. His teams and students meant the world to him, and he enjoyed all the reunions and visits with them throughout the years. There are many stories of great games won, one big loss, and all the fun experiences of molding the lives of students for those 39 years.  He often came back to Brook to help his sister, Phyllis and brother-in-law, Bill Beagley farm. He and Becky loved traveling, and they visited 49 states together. Upon retirement from teaching, they moved back to Brook and were active in the Brook UMC, Newton County Historical Society, and helped to create the Wash-O-Quois Museum in Brook.  Larry was chairman of Newton County’s Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay.  Larry and Becky loved to fish and would fish with his brother Dick’s family at Lake Winnibigosh in Bena, Minnesota.  He was also a member of Pheasants Forever and was selected as Citizen of the Year by the town of Brook in 2005.

They both loved to attend all family gatherings and enjoyed visits from friends from all over the country. He cooked many Sunday morningbreakfasts at the cabin outside in Brook. He was proud of his family and equally proud of the thousands of students whose lives he helped develop.

He is survived by his daughter, Lana (Steve) Wallpe, of Fowler and son, Terry (Sandra) Lyons of Brook, grandchildren, Lt. Col. Joshua Lyons, Amanda Lyons (Arik) Pyneart, Isaiah Lyons, Kendal Wallpe, and Hannah Wallpe, great-grandchildren, Maximus and Lincoln Pyneart.  Larry is also an uncle to a large, deep generation of nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Marcia “Becky”Lyons, eight brothers and sisters, and his parents.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 10, 2024 from 5-7:00pm (CST) and the funeral will be on Monday, March 11, 2024 starting at 10:00am (CST) all held at Brook United Methodist Church. Procession for interment will follow to Riverside Cemetery, Brook, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to either the Brook United Methodist Church or The Wash-O-Quois Museum in Brook.

Arrangements entrusted to Gerts, Windler & Keller Funeral Homes ~ Brook Chapel, 129 E. Main St., Brook, IN. 47922. (219) 275-6161 www.kellerfh.com