Larry Rollings

LARRY BURTON ROLLINGS, 65, of Champaign, IL formerly of Arcola, IL passed away at 5:35 A.M. Monday, September 19, 2011 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Larry was born on October 29, 1945 in Tuscola, IL. He was a son of William Lloyd and Thena (Walden) Rollings. He married Linda Wilson on December 17, 1966 in Bloomington, IL.

He is survived by his wife Linda Rollings of Champaign, IL, three daughters, Tiffany Gruber and her husband James of Libertyville, IL, Vanessa “Becky” Giannis and her husband James of Chicago, IL and Molly Rollings of Champaign, IL; three grandsons, Riley James Gruber, Jackson Burton Gruber and James Dean Giannis II; one sister, Julie Ashworth and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Larry was a 1963 graduate of Arcola High School. He went on to earn a degree in Risk Management from Illinois Wesleyan in 1967. Larry remained active at Illinois Wesleyan and served on numerous committees and boards throughout his life. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran having served in Morocco and Okinawa as a communications technician. Larry returned to Arcola in December 1971 and purchased a partnership interest in the Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency and expanded it to multiple locations throughout Central Illinois before selling the agency in January 2000. He worked with the new Dimond Bros. management team to continue growing the agency to a statewide presence. Larry was a well-known agent and always enjoyed a friendly, professional relationship with his fellow agents. Larry loved his profession and never tired of helping others professionally and personally. He worked in various volunteer positions with the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois for which he served as past president.

Larry was active in multiple civic and regional organizations. He was a member of the Arcola Fire Department for 29 years during which he served as a volunteer fire fighter and president of the Fire Protection District. The Arcola Fire Department was a very special love of Larry’s. He was a member of the Arcola Masonic Lodge 366 AF & AM. Larry was a life long member of the Arcola First Christian Church where he was a Sunday school teacher and served as Deacon and Elder for decades.

Larry was an avid Arcola High School girls sports fan. He was an excellent cook and fine wine connoisseur. Larry was passionate about his family and friends, great food, bad jokes and good wine. His sense of humor was his trademark and remained with him to the very end of his life.
Larry was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a very rare form of Parkinson’s Plus. With his diagnosis came a desire to become instrumental in finding a cure or a stop-gap for MSA. He participated in many studies and clinical trials through Northwestern University, including donating his brain to science for further research. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, Larry asked that all donations be made to Northwestern University to augment specific research funds for Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s Plus diseases, such as MSA, to compliment his donation to the Northwestern Brain Bank.

Donation information is as follows:
Checks can be sent directly to:
Northwestern University
Feinberg School of Medicine
Attn: June Ulrey
420 East Superior Street
Rubloff Building, 9th Floor
Chicago, IL 60611
Memo: Larry Rollings, Parkinson’s Plus
or
Online donations can be made at:
www.giving.northwestern.edu/nu/feinberg
Under “Additional Feinberg Designations”, select “Parkinson’s Research Gift Fund”. Thank you for your generosity.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 29, 2011 at the First Christian Church of Arcola, Illinois from 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. A private Celebration of Larry’s Life is planned for the end of the month. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.