Larry Burl Pickerill, 78, of Butler, died as the sun began to rise on Monday, May 5, 2025, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at Irving Methodist Church in Irving, with Pastor Sue Bryce officiating. Burial will take place at Montgomery Cemetery.
Born July 9, 1946, in Hillsboro, Mr. Pickerill was the son of Burl and Emma P. (Rucker) Pickerill. A lifelong resident of Butler, he lived in the same home he grew up in, deeply rooted in the land and community he loved. As a young boy, he attended Butler School, where he played basketball, and later graduated from Hillsboro High School. He dedicated his life to farming, working the land for himself, others and neighbors along the way. Farming wasn’t just a job to him, it was who he was.
The only thing he loved as much as farming was his faith. A dedicated member of the Irving Methodist Church, he served on every committee and never hesitated to lend his time and energy. He also volunteered regularly at the local food bank, quietly giving back to the community in meaningful ways.
Mr. Pickerill had a steady rhythm to his days, tuning in to RFD-TV and listening to WSMI radio faithfully. He was a man of strong habits and old-school values. He believed everything had its place, resisted change with a stubborn charm and worried about things big and small, often out of care for those around him. He loved cookies and ice cream which he could enjoy multiple times a day, when the mood struck. He was generous, goofy and full of heart. Whether it was keeping a close eye on the neighborhood, he was the best kind of watchful neighbor, or helping mow a yard, he was always present and willing to help, sometimes even to a fault. He loved animals and tractors of all kinds, and he had a special place in his heart for old Dodge trucks.
He is survived by his nephew, Dave (Ann) Glosecki of Columbia; great nephews, Matt (Kara) Glosecki and family of Ballwin, MO, and Michael (Victoria) Glosecki of St. Charles, MO; dearest friends, Mark (Amanda) Cobetto and family of Butler and Ron (Brenda) Cobetto of Butler.
Mr. Pickerill was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Evelyn Glosecki.
Donations may be made to Irving Methodist Church, 124 Spruce Street, Irving, Illinois 62051.
