Larry Courtney

Larry William Courtney, age 80, of Freetown, Indiana, the son of William and Frances (Akers) Courtney, was born on December 21, 1944 in Brazil, Indiana. After graduating from Brazil High School, he began working at CBS in Terre Haute, Indiana. During that time, he was blessed with two sons, Christopher and Matthew, whom he found great joy coaching in little league sports over the years. Larry also discovered his love of car racing and was a member of an amateur pit crew in Terre Haute. On October 21, 1994, he was united in marriage to Beverly (Johnson) Thompson Courtney, and they enjoyed almost 31 wonderful years together. Shortly after leaving Terre Haute, Larry began working at Ben Franklin in Seymour, Indiana for a few years, and later became the manager at Russell Stover Candies in Brownstown, Indiana until his retirement. 

Larry was a devoted follower of Jesus and a faithful member of the Freetown Church of Christ for many years. More than anything, he loved children and enjoyed the time he spent babysitting his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved woodworking, fishing, and certainly had a green thumb as he could grow anything in the garden. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR racing, especially driver Chase Elliott, and watching fishing, racing, and his great grandson’s cooking channel on YouTube. Larry was a wonderful husband, a great father, and devoted papaw to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mr. Courtney passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at Our Hospice in Columbus, Indiana.

His life will be cherished by his loving wife, Beverly of Freetown; his sons: Christopher Courtney and his wife, Jennifer of Champlin, Minnesota, Matthew Courtney and his wife, Erin of Georgetown, Indiana, Monte Thompson and his wife, Pam of Brownstown, and David Thompson and his wife, Lisa of Freetown; his daughters: Mona Fish and her husband, Rocky of Brownstown, and Sherri Fritz and her husband, Wayne of Freetown; his grandchildren: Tyler Courtney, Joshua Courtney, Daniel Courtney, Rachel Courtney, Austin Courtney, Mallory Fritz, Darcey Maples, Sydney Fritz, Blake Fish, Travis Fish, Cally Morris, Missy Thompson, and Zachary Thompson; his great grandchildren: Dax Morris, Ava Thompson, Chloe Fish, Parker Fish, Jonah Fish, Elijah Fish, Skylar Fish, Cora Lynn Maples, and was anxiously awaiting one on the way; his brother: Darrell Courtney and his wife, Judy of Brazil, Indiana; and his brother-in-law: Phil Vannice of Spencer, Indiana. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters: Virginia Vannice and Beverly Courtney.

Pastor Barry DeWitt will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Monday, April 7, 2025 at the Freetown Church of Christ, 7077 North State Road 135, Freetown, Indiana. Friends and family are invited to visit from 11:00 AM until the time of the service on Monday at the church. Burial will take place at 1:00 PM Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at the McCullough-Zion Cemetery, 4297 W. County Road 200 South in Cory, Indiana.

The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to Freetown Church of Christ. Friends are invited to leave condolence messages for the family at www.christensenfamilyfuneral.com.

Daniel and Betsy Christensen have been entrusted with the arrangements.