Date of Death: April 6, 2025
Service Details
His family will receive friends Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers. A memorial mass will be held Friday, April 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 645 S. Douglas Ave., Three Rivers, with Fr. R. Mathias officiating. He will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.
Obituary Notice
Larry Thomas Broker, 78, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2025 at Bronson Methodist Hospital.
He was born July 12, 1946 in Sturgis, the son of Andrew and Ellen (Fritz) Broker, but became a Three Rivers Wildcat as a kindergartener at Ruth Hoppin School. He attended Hoppin through seventh grade after which he began as an eighth-grader at Three Rivers High School, where he graduated with the Class of 1964.
An active young man, Larry participated in Cub Scouts, and 4-H, where he showed horses from age 5 through 18. He was a member of the Hobby Horse Club led by his father.
He demonstrated a work ethic from an early age, whether delivering newspapers at age 10 or baling hay during the summers on farms (including those of his Grandpa Fritz and uncles). His career included Wittenberg and then White’s News Agency (where he met the love of his life), Standard Steel, Three Rivers Rubber, Johnson Corporation, Wells Index, Michigan Electric, and All-Phase Electric, where he did outside sales and electrical engineering. He especially enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Israel, Germany, Spain, China, and Taiwan while working at Wells Index.
Larry shared his talent on the guitar playing for Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for more than 50 years. He also could be found providing music for weddings, sing-alongs, and the Three Rivers Community Players.
He loved participating in car shows and cruises, and was a member of the Three Rivers C.A.R. Club. He drag raced with his ’55 Chevy, and also had a ’28 Model A, ’71 Cutlass, ’64 Ford Fairlane, and an ’80 Suburban.
Larry’s other hobbies included fishing on his bass boat; hunting deer, turkeys, rabbits, and squirrels; photography; and computers.
He served as a Three Rivers city commissioner for six years, presented at the Worldwide Marriage Encounter for four years, was a senior youth group minister, and lifetime member of the Three Rivers Elks.
On April 16, 1966 Larry was united in marriage to Mary L. White. They enjoyed an annual fall “pilgrimage” to Mackinaw City, shooting archery, and attending car races. As a family, they enjoyed camping, highlighted by his 24-hour campfires.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary L. Broker; daughter, Loreene (John) Kemperman; son, Jay (Jennifer) Broker; brother, Terry (Diane) Broker; sister-in-law, Joan (Carl) Bartholomew; grandchildren, Ava, Lucas, and Amelia Broker, and Eric Kemperman; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Richard Broker.
Additional Information
Donations in Larry’s memory may be directed to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Envelopes will be available at the church and the funeral home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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I worked with Larry for 18 years. There are so many wonderful things I could say about Larry but the biggest is his impact he had on others. Larry always put others before himself and truly cared for anyone and everyone he came in contact with. He exemplified what a good man is and should be. Anyone that met Larry was truly touched by his loving personality. I will honor him by remembering “That it’s no problem, whatsoever”.
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Larry. We knew him from All-Phase. He would stop in to our shop, Wellsaw from time to time and he used to bring pizza in for lunch and sit and chat with us and our coworkers. I had just spoken with him a couple weeks previous to his passing. He was an all-around great guy who was always so helpful and kind. Our deepest condolences to his family.
Mary, we’re so sorry for your loss. We will miss Larry very much. Thanks for honoring us with your presence at many of our company gatherings. We always enjoyed Larry’s stories of his adventures at lunches and other events. He always ended phone calls with “is there anything else I can do for you today?” He was truly a great man.
Mary, I am very sorry for your loss. Larry was a good friend, and he will be greatly missed.
My condolences to his wife Mary & his family. I truly sorry I didn’t know sooner.
Was the best neighbors I’ve ever had.
I remember Steven playing basketball with Jay.
And Larry old car.
Sincerely Theresa L Middleton
Our sincere condolences on Larry’s death. He was a fixture at Immaculate Conception Church and we sure enjoyed and were inspired by his musical talents at Mass. He was blessed with you, Mary, as his faithful helper in all things musical as well as life. He surely will be missed by his family, friends and the IC congregation. May Larry rest in peace and enjoy his Heavenly reward. We pray that the Lord will comfort your family in the days ahead.
I am very sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. I have great respect for Larry. I admired Larry’s intelligence and his humble way to share his knowledge to help others, including me. Larry will be missed.
Scott & I and Team Esper were blessed to have known Larry as our All-Phase Salesman. He was the kind of person who went above and beyond, and without hesitation. When we had twins, Larry’s Mother made the most beautiful blankets we still cherish 23 years later<3. We were just talking about what a remarkable person and gifted Salesman he is – prayers of comfort for his wonderful family and many friends.
I first met Larry when I was interviewing for a job with char Noah control company. Larry was there to help me with Alex’s Israeli accent. When Alex went back to Israel, Larry was my only contact, so I end up bugging him so much that he offered me a job with Wells index as a field service engineer. After my training, Larry was the person that took me out on the road for the first time and took me the Grand Ole Opry just to show me that that you need to see the sights out on the road. Later that week he decided to quit smoking so I wouldn’t have to sit in the smoking section of the plane. It was like Larry thinking of other people instead of himself of himself It was appropriate that the last trip I went with Wells index was with Larry. I thank.. the day I met Larry because it led to so many memories I never would have had
Sorry to hear about Larry. We, my husband, Jerry Kozlowski and I have known Larry a long time. We first met Larry and Mary when my sister, Judi and her husband, Roy Schoenherr moved and lived in Three Rivers. Larry, Mary, Judi and Roy became very close friends and still remained close friends. They went to the same church and that is where Roy met Larry. Larry and Roy started playing their guitars together at masses at church. They also played their guitars at our wedding mass. Larry will surely be missed.
God Bless you Mary, Loreene, Jay and family.
So sorry to hear the passing of Larry, Mary prayers are going out to you and the family. Your Larry was such a sweet and wonderful man, I will missing seeing him.
Jeff and I are so very sorry for your loss. We have enjoyed Larry’s musical talents shared at mass for many years and it is a memory to cherish. Our hearts and prayers are with you, Mary, and with all of your family. I can see Larry in my mind’s eye, playing his guitar and singing amongst the heavenly angels. May he rest in God’s loving arms.
Jon and I are so sorry for your loss.
Larry will be greatly misses, but we were able to make some fun memories with him. I remember sitting in the woods waiting for a deer, and freezing my arse off with Larry. The sing-alongs were the best….always and forever John Denver. I can imagine him up in heaven now jamming with John Denver…makes me smile to think about it. Thanks Larry for all the great memories you made with us!
Teri (White) and Jon Newton
To the Broker Family
I have known Larry from being in the Electrical Trade, whether he called on us at Upjohn or I would see him picking up supplies at AllPhase Electric. He always had this wonderful sense of calmness when in his presence. I now know why!!! Jesus!!! We used to chat about old cars as my first car I owned was a 63 Ford Fairlane. I visited your home in Three Rivers as we shared car stories and reminisced. I recently called AllPhase inquiring about Larry and maybe going to breakfast, that will wait to we see each other again in Heaven!! RIP Larry
I’m saddened to hear of Larry’s passing. I’ve had the privilege of knowing him for about 8 years now through work and company gatherings. He was a selfless person and was always willing to go the extra mile to help me out. He was a great guitar player too and was never shy about his faith in the Lord. He will be greatly missed.
It is with a heart of near-disbelief that this vibrant and fun-loving, but serious man is no longer with us.
Mary, Jerry and I are praying for you and your family as you journey this path of loss. We pray for a supernatural energy, strength, and comfort from the One who has been a constant for so long for both you and Larry. Know those prayers will continue. We love you so very much!
I’ve known Larry for over 40 years! I met him at All-Phase Electric when I was still in inside sales in Benton Harbor, and then more closely when I became the manager for the Kalamazoo location in 1992.
Larry was someone that ALWAYS enjoyed helping employees and customers solve their problems. He was TRULY SELFLESS! And I’m very proud to say I considered him a friend…
Larry could be counted on bringing his guitar to our work events, and cooking meals for the employees, which everyone enjoyed!
A man of true faith and someone that always looked for the best in people.
Every time I called him and asked how he was doing, he would say “FAAANNNTASTIC”, as he stretched that word out for emphasis!:) I will miss hearing this, but I will never forget it…
I have lost a friend, but I know that Heaven is a better place now that he is there….
Love you Larry!
Tony
We are so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed listening to Larry play his guitar and sing at church. He can now share his wonderful talents with all in heaven. Prayers for Mary and all the family.
Prayers for the family. Larry was an all around great guy.
Oh Mary, I am so sorry to read this. Please let me know what I can do for you in the coming days.
Prayers to the entire Broker family!
Condolences to the family, I have known Larry over the years .
Sad to hear this, Larry was a great teacher. He would come to my office and teach me electrical and programming. we would catch up at car shows for time to time and talk. I will never forget when you ask how he was. ” I’m fantastic and you”
Larry gave me guitar lessons for free in high school on Wednesday evenings. I can still hear us playing “Let It Be” together. Never wanted a penny for it, wanted to teach and give back. I had never witnessed that before and he inspired me through his example. A great man who will be missed. Thank you Larry.
Another friend gone. I’ve known Larry since high school. We were car guy friends. I admired his first car it was a model A Ford that had a custom interior and some other custom features. In later years he told of doing a 63 Fairlane. I would occasionally see him and ask about the Fairlane, it was always in some phase of being built. He always told me it was Mary’s car. I finally saw them at the Gergens car show last summer. It was a beautifully built hi performance drag car.
He told me then that he couldn’t use one leg.
I had a beautiful Packard that I had in the Memorial Day parade for many years. A few days after one parade I got an envelope in the mail with some candid pictures of me in the Packard during the parade. They were from Larry telling me how good the car looked. That was the kind of person he was. It took effort and time to send those pictures. I called and thanked him for them.
Rest in peace my friend.
David
I recently sent Larry and Mary a thank you note for the beautiful message they sent in a card to my mother before she passed. Larry did have a heart to make Three Rivers a beautiful place to call home. My condolences to the family.
He was a good man who supported his community. He always had vision and a desire to see things improve!!
Love, and Hugs, and Prayers to MaryLee and the family. So very sorry for your loss. Definitely Heavens’ gain.
Prayers and sympathy to the family of this lovely man. He and his music and smile, will be missed by so many.
We are in total shock with the passing of our dear Cousin Larry. He was the driving force or our by monthly Cousins get together luncheons. We lost a dear friend/cousin, husband, father, and grandfather and heaven just gained a wonderful man.
We are praying for his wife Marylee, his children and grandchildren at this difficult time. Rest in peace dear cousin for your earthly works are now complete.
Larry was my boss at Wells manufacturing for a few years. Wonderful boss and a great guy.
Larry is a huge loss to many. He has been one of the finest neighbors I have ever had. Condolences to his family💖
I can’t believe it! Our loving and beautiful friend is gone! He has been a fixture with our family for so many year. I’m so sorry and send prayers to Mary and all of the family.