Lawrence A. Bloom

Lawrence (Larry) A. Bloom, 76, of Germantown Hills, left this life and entered his new life in heaven on Friday, July 18, 2014. He was at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, with family and friends by his side. Larry was born October 12, 1937 in Peoria. He spent most of his childhood in Creve Coeur. He was the second child of Frieda (Yurk) Bloom and Albert Bloom. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joanne (O?Russa) Bloom, five months ago; and his son, David Bloom, ten years ago. He is survived by his daughter, Theresa Bloom, of Morton, and his daughter, Kelly Bloom (Brian Glover) of Massachusetts. He has five grandchildren, Lexi of Bloomington, Skylar and Brody of Morton, and Luke and Olivia of Massachusetts. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Huxtable-Kordick (Gene Kordick) of Peoria and Naples, and his brother, Robert Bloom, of Peoria, and numerous nieces and nephews and sisters and brothers-in-law. Larry was a 1956 graduate of East Peoria Community High School. While there, he played intramural basketball and was one of the top scorers for the team. After high school, Larry worked for a short while for Caterpillar and Cilco. At Cilco, he continued to play basketball for the light company?s team. Here, he also met his wife of 54 years, Joanne. In the early 1960?s, Larry was a Private in the United States Army. He was on active duty for a short time, then in the Army Reserves for five years. He was stationed in Fort Belvoir, Virginia and Granite City, Illinois. Larry made Cursillo #6 through the Catholic Church in 1965. His faith became an important part of his life and family. Most of Larry?s work life was spent selling insurance. He traveled the Midwest and sold insurance for Mutual Protective Insurance Company and the Knights of Columbus. Larry joined the Knights of Columbus in the early 1960?s. In 1968, Larry became an insurance agent for State Farm Insurance. He worked in this position for 31 years before retiring in 1999. Larry began his State Farm career with Peoria office locations, then moved his office to Germantown Hills in 1982. During Larry?s time at State Farm, he won multiple top selling awards as a Millionaire Club member, a Legion of Honor agent, a Bronze Tablet Award recipient, and a qualifier for National Conventions. For many years, Larry and his wife, Joanne, owned a vacation home at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. Here, he loved to spend time golfing and fishing. He also enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, and driving his pontoon boat around White Oak Lake in Germantown Hills. An expression that has often been said of Larry is that "he never knew a stranger". He was personable, friendly, and often joking- whether driving his golf cart around Tan-Tar-A or greeting customers in his office. He was a generous, loving, and full-of-life soul who will be greatly missed. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Peoria with Monsignor William Watson officiating. Visitation will be held at Mason Funeral Home Germantown Hills Chapel on Friday, August 1 from 5 to 7 pm. Burial of ashes at St. Mary?s Cemetery, Metamora with a luncheon to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the O.S.F. Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com