Larry Errol “Lew” Worthey, of Edwardsville, Ill., 84, passed away peacefully at Stillwater Senior Living in Edwardsville on July 16, surrounded by his family.

The youngest of five children, Lew was born on May 28, 1940, in Mt. Pleasant, Mo., to Henry Burton Worthey and Ruth Marie (Etter) Worthey. He married the love of his life and north star, Margaret “Peggy” Hester, on December 17, 1961, at Camden United Methodist Church in Camden, Ill.

Lew was nothing if not tenacious—when he made up his mind to do something, he did it with singular focus. He set his sights on Peggy after meeting her on leave from the Air Force (through his cousin Myrna Jean, Peggy’s business school roommate), and they married within 18 months.

He joined the Air Force in 1957 and served until 1961, at which time he hitchhiked home to Peggy, not willing to wait for official transport.

After serving, and following a suggestion from his brother-in-law, Dr. Edward Davison, Lew earned his associate degree in dental technology from SIU Carbondale. He went on to open University Dental Laboratory in Edwardsville in 1969, which he proudly grew into a flourishing family business for more than 50 years. In his much-deserved retirement, he and Peggy spent time enjoying their grandchildren and snowbirding at their condo in Ocala, Fla.

Lew’s love for his wife and family was nearly matched by his love of the game of golf, his prized 1976 Corvette Stingray—which he drove until he was no longer able—and riding his bike.

Known for his booming laugh and infectious smile, Lew loved a good joke. He shared his beautiful singing voice with the Immanuel United Methodist Church choir for many years, as well as the SIU Community Choir and countless special events. He loved to sing with his sister, Vertie, along with his longtime best friend, Edward Wentz.

Lew was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Marion Kensinger, Livirtie Burnham and Patricia Derr, and brother Edward Worthey; and niece Cynthia Gregory Miller and nephew Norton Davison.  

He is survived by his beloved wife, Peggy; sons Jay Worthey of Edwardsville and Paul (Ellen) Worthey of Edwardsville, and daughter Sara (Mark) Pierce of Glen Carbon; grandsons Tyler Worthey of the United States Air Force in Mountain Home, Idaho, and Chase Worthey of St. Louis, Mo., and granddaughter Madeline Pierce of Peoria, Ill.; nieces and nephews Jodi (Dennis) Madole of Versailles, Mo., and Jon (Brooke) Davison of Peachtree City, Ga.; Ken (Teri) Burnham of Stockdale, Texas, and Kim (Don Busken) Burnham of Sun City, Ariz.; Jon Randall “Randy” (Randy) Gregory of Shawnee, Kan., Todd Gregory-Gibbs (Jeff) of Kansas City, Mo., Mark (Shirley) Derr of St. Louis, and David Derr of Plattsburg, Mo.; Mark (Tammy) Worthey of Flower Mound, Texas, and Wendy Worthey of San Diego, Calif; brother-in-law Keith Derr of Plattsburg, and sister-in-law Carolyn Worthey of Kansas City; several great- and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins and treasured family friends.

A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 10, at 11:00 am at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. John Sims presiding.  Interment will follow at St. James Cemetery in Edwardsville.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: St. John’s Community Care Adult Day Program of Edwardsville, Family Hospice and the Alzheimer’s Association.

As the saying goes, “Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.” Help us keep Lew’s memory alive: The next time you hear a great joke or make a great putt, think of Lew and remember all he brought to our lives.

We will miss him and carry him with us always.

Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Larry "Lew" Errol Worthey hosted by Weber & Rodney Funeral Home.