Lawrence Wayne "Larry" Sidener fought a courageous battle with all-consuming cancer on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 6:45 a.m.

Larry was born on November 16, 1940 in Springfield the son of Richard Earl and Lillian L. Wheeler Sidener.

Larry served six years in the Illinois National Guard and was of the Christian faith.  You could always depend on Larry, he was a great brother and a friend to anyone who needed help.  He adored his sisters and checked on them almost daily.  In his work he was a perfectionist in excavating heavy equipment.  Larry had a lot of pride in owning and training the Worlds National Champion Coonhound (Twice).  He also wrote articles for the U.S. Kennel Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Nancy Jane Sidener; and four brothers, James, Samuel, Harold Dean and Gerald Lee Sidener.

Larry is survived by three sons, Gerald (Dorris) Sidener of KY, Earl V. Sidener of Springfield and Scott Sidener of KS; one daughter, Barbara McCandless; two granddaughters, Merissa and Michele McCandless; three sisters, Bette J. Pree of Springfield, Norma Ladson of Mechanicsburg, and Carolyn Jones of Nashville, TN; two brothers, John Richard and Robert Allen Sidener both of Springfield; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at Wilson Park Funeral Home with Reverend Austin officiating.  Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project or the Animal Protective League.