Larry Darwin Porter

Larry Darwin Porter, age 83; of Ithaca and Greenville, Michigan ran

into the arms of his savior, Jesus, on Friday, February 21,2025 at Vista

Springs Timber Ridge, East Lansing. He was born at home in Lafayette

Township, Gratiot County, Michigan on January 26, 1942, the son of

Clifford E. and Ruth C. (Howd) Porter. He lived most of his life on the

family farm in Hamilton Township.

Larry was a cheerful and generous man who worked very hard with

farming with his brother, Ed. He found people who needed help and he

was ready to give to them.

They worked together for most of their lives farming. Larry worked at

times at Federal Mogul in St. Johns. Farming was his life. He and Ed

were both mechanically adept with all of the faming machinery and

often created their own solutions. They fabricated stainless steel

fertilizer spouts to sell.

Larry was in the National Guard from 1963 to 1969. In July 1967 he

and other men from the Alma National Guard unit served in Detroit

during the Detroit riots.

Larry enjoyed traveling in the winter time with family. His first time

traveling was going to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for the National

Guard. He also traveled to North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, Illinois,

Indiana, Missouri, Louisiana, Virginia and Hawaii.

In 2014 he enjoyed his first cruise to the Bahamas. Later he cruised to

Honduras, Belize, Mexico and Grand Cayman. Another cruise to the

Bahamas was his last cruise in 2022. He was always amazed at all of

the beautiful countries. He always found someone to talk to

everywhere he was.

He attended elementary school at Sickles, Michigan. He attended

high school in Ithaca, Michigan until he was 16 years old on his

birthday. He was responsible for farming with his brother when their

father was disabled. Later he earned his high school GED.

He met his perfect sweetheart and married Charlotte Fidler on

March 19, 1977 at Edgewood Church of God, Ithaca. They were

married for 47 years. He served on the Board of Trustees at the church

and volunteered for several projects, including manufacturing a safety

barrier for the hall balcony. They moved to Greenville, Michigan in 2019 to be closer to family.

Larry enjoyed visiting his relatives and talking to everyone about his life.

He spread the word of God whenever he could with kindness.

He cherished his wife, sons, daughter-in-law and grandson. Being with

his grandson was a joy, as well as all of his family. He gave his family

everything they needed. He planned to prepare for the future.

Larry is survived by his wife, Charlotte (Fidler) Porter, his sons,

Jonathan, Jason (Michelle) and grandson, James, his niece, Susan

(Fidler) Aaron Athearn, other nieces and nephew, cousins and many

friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother.

There will be a celebration of life on June 20, 2025 at Edgewood

Church of God, Ithaca. A dinner will follow. Pastor David Perry will be

officiating.

A cremation was done. His remains will be in Hamilton Township

Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Edgewood Church of God, Veterans Affairs

or a food bank in Ithaca.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.