Lawrence “Papa” Michael Barra
1950 – 2023
Larry “Papa” Barra, 72, Ottawa, passed away Friday, February 3, 2023 at his home, surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Memorial Mass will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa, with Rev. Gary Caster officiating. Burial will follow at the Ottawa Avenue Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Larry was born May 4, 1950 in Ottawa to Laverne and Marian (Anderson) Barra. He graduated from Marquette High School and later Devry Institute of Technology. Larry worked for Libbey Owens Ford for many years and then at Exelon Nuclear Plant in instrument maintenance. He married Linda Underhill on April 26, 1980 in Bloomington and they have been happily married for 42 years. Larry is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion.
Some of Larry’s favorite things are golfing, traveling, and spending time with his family and grandkids who mean the world to him. He is known for always teaching life lessons and passing them along to prepare his kids and grandkids for the future.
Survivors include his wife, Linda of Ottawa; two children, Grant (Ashley) Barra of Schaumburg and Kendra (Ryan) Holleley of Naperville; five grandchildren, Rilyn, Makenzie, and Brooklyn Barra and Nolan and Charlotte Holleley; one brother, Tim (Kay) Barra of Marseilles and one sister, Lynette Sommer of Ottawa.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433