Larry James Natzel, age 78 passed away on December 26, 2022 from Parkinson’s disease, at The Villa in Rose City, MI.
Larry was born October 31, 1944, in Mt. Pleasant, MI to Fern Ilene (Bugbee) Natzel and George Arthur Natzel, who predeceased Larry’s death in 2008 and 1982 respectively. Larry’s oldest brother William (Bill) passed away December 4, 2022.
He is survived by one sister, La Dawn Nester of Painsville, OH, one brother Mick (Dorothy) Natzel, Mt. Pleasant, MI, sister-in-law Micky Natzel, Mt. Pleasant, MI and numerous Nieces and Nephews.
Larry was a very active child, growing up on the west side of Mt. Pleasant. His young teenage years were the happiest years of his life. He participated in youth baseball and the infamous neighborhood tackle football games, without equipment, referees, or penalties. There were never any serious injuries, only a few stitches, bruises, and a couple loose teeth afterwards. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends. His childhood home was within two blocks of the Chippewa River and the millpond-backwaters, created by the Harris Milling Company dams. Larry and his friends spent their summer days fishing and swimming around the dams. One Summer, Larry and his buddies built a secret fort, made from logs, on the small millpond island. He owned a “one of a kind” fishing boat, fabricated from two 1945 Hudson automobile car hoods, welded together with stabilizing pontoons at the stern. Larry also owned a small outboard engine for his boat. After using his boat, it was chained and padlocked to a oak tree on the shoreline; remains of that chain, are protruding from the trees bark, sixty five years later. The memory of Larry at the tiller of his outboard engine, navigating his boat up and down the Chippewa River and across the mill pond, with his friends and family dog, always put a smile on one’s face. His adventures on the river, were reminiscent of Mark Twain’s writings and movie, The adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
Larry attended kindergarten and first grade at Ganiard Elementary and finished the remainder of his schooling at Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy, graduating in 1964.
Larry enlisted in the U.S. Navy on August 18, 1965, and returned from the service on May 14, 1969 with an honorable discharge and as a 100% Disabled Veteran. The remainder of Larry’s life, after the service was difficult for him, due to his severe health conditions. The family was told he would never return home and would probably need to be institutionalized, the remainder of his life. Larry’s Mother thought differently and brought him home. His parents provided housing and loving care, for 40 years. Larry’s Mother was a Nurse Practitioner and worked closely, with his Physicians relative to his medical and health care. Larry’s Parkinson’s Disease was diagnosed in 2005, while hospitalized for long term physical therapy.
As a hospice nurse said, "I've learned the timing of when a person “lets-go,” is very individual. Surround him with your love and peace. Know that the physical, is never who we are; our souls are eternal and perfect in God's Kingdom.”
A Memorial Service will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, May 23 at 11:30 a.m. A luncheon will take place in Reflections Reception Center. Rite of Committal will follow at Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
The family requests memorial donations to the Sacred Heart Academy Foundation / Natzel Endowment Fund for SHA Teachers ; website sha.net or mailing address, Sacred Heart Academy Foundation, P. O. Box 522, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-0503
Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation / Rocket Football Operating Fund
http://www.mpacf.org/rocketfootball
306 S. University P.O. Box 1283
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804