Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Biggs, Laurence "Larry" J. Jr. September 28, 2023
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Patricia Currigan currigan1932@concast.net May 14, 2024, 8:43 am

Ionia Shopper's Guide - Sat.October 14, 2023

                   BIGGS

Laurence "Larry" J.Biggs Jr.,age 85, of Lowell,Michigan passed away peacefully 
on September 28, 2023 with his family at his side. Larry fought a courageous 
battle with cancer, a disease which diminished his body, but not his spirit. 
During this past years, Larry made his home in Suttons Bay,Michigan with his 
daughter, Karen Hassevoort, and son-in-law Steve. He especially enjoyed walks 
and rides in the wheelchair around the village and on the Leelanau trail.

Larry was born on June 9, 1938 in Muskegon, the son of Laurence and Dorotha 
(Bieri)Biggs,Sr. When he was young,Larry's family lived in Belding where his 
father worked in small business retail.They moved to Saranac in 1950, including 
Larry and his two brothers and two sisters, after purchasing a building (a 
former furniture store) to begin the adventure of their own small business, a 
retail variety store. Larry enjoyed skipping part of his 6th grade school year 
to help his father get the store set up, build displays and stock merchandise.
His family lived in a small apartment above the store where he and is brothers 
shared a large open room, a drafty space which also served as storage for store 
supplies. The initial name of the business, "Larry's 5c - $1.00 store", was 
named simply, "Larry's in 1960 when renovations were made to modernize the store 
front.

Larry was an avid competitor and spectator of a  wide variety of sports 
throughout his life, beginning in high school including, baseball, tennis, and 
basketball and later softball and golf. He also loved to fish and especially 
enjoyed family trips to lakes and streams across the state and the Thursday 
afternoons when local business would shut down and he and his dad (and 
eventually his brothers) would be "Gone Fishing." While his responsibilities at 
the store limited his recreation activities somewhat, Larry balanced schoolwork, 
sports and is work at the store well. he was an outstanding student at Saranac 
High School, especially in math, and was the Valedictorian of the class of 1956.

After graduating, he served in the Army (later Reserves) and upon returning 
home, joined his parents in running the store which he purchased from them in 
the early 1970's. This was a true family business that supplied a little of 
everything the community might need, with a delicious bulk candy counter and fun 
toy department. Larry was a beloved member of the Saranac business community who 
was well-known by all in town. He whistled while he worked and was a friend to 
each person  who entered the store. Larry closed the store in 1997, after 47 
years in business.He later built his home in Lowell along the Grand River and 
enjoyed home projects, bird watching, gardening, riding his lawn tractor, 
listening to music and watching favorite movies and sporting events. He loved 
his neighbors and was the local grandfather in the neighborhood.Larry was a 
life-long member of Saranac Community Church and supported numerous local 
community organizations and events.

Beyond the formal education, Larry was a renaissance man and a true student of 
the world, interested in every topic under the sun. A voracious reader, he was  
happy to sit in hi easy chair and enjoy good books-ideally a gripping crime 
thriller-for hours on end. Larry was fascinated by science.He subscribed to 
countless scientific magazines and would often send his grandchildren magazine 
and newspaper clippings on topics he knew would interest them-from computer 
science to nutritional neuroscience and nuclear physics-usually with a post-it 
note attached with some thoughtful observation or question that he would discuss 
with them on their next visit. He was also a fan of the university of Michigan 
Wolverines and frequently sported one of a variety of Michigan caps from his 
wardrobe.

Larry loved participating in activities and events in the area and spending time 
with his family. Surviving are his children Larry Biggs III of Saranac and Karen 
(Steve) Hassevoort of Suttons Bay. Grandchildren Kelsey Hassevoort (Alex Dombos) 
of Kalamazoo and Andrew (Becca) Hassevoort of Ann Arbor.Siblings Eleanor Talcott 
of Saranac, Marcia (Bruce) Baird of Lowell, David (Sharon) Biggs of Portland and 
Virgil (Connie) Biggs of Saranac, as well as many delightful nieces and nephews 
and great nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents and 
brother-in-law David Talcott.

A Memorial service Celebrating Larry's life will be held on Thursday, October 
26th 10:30 am at Saranac Community Church, lunch to follow.Visitation  and 
sharing October 25th from 5:00-7:00pm at Lake's Funeral Home and October 26th 
from 9:00-10:00 am at the church. A private time for family will be held at the 
graveside at Saranac Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Saranac 
Community Church, the Saranac Promise or the Leelanau Trail. Arrangements in 
care of Lake Funeral Home of Saranac. Online condolences and memories can be 
offered at www.lakefuneralhomes.com

Additional Comments:
Saranac Cem.,
Saranac,Mich.

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