Larry Donald Bannwart

Larry Donald Bannwart, 71, of North Liberty, IN, passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Larry was born in Michigan City, IN, on September 1, 1952, to Merle and Barbara (Deutscher) Bannwart.

Larry is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jean (McEnterfer). Also surviving are his 4 sons, Jeremy (Susan) Bannwart, Jamie (Kim Butts) Bannwart, Jason (April) Bannwart, and Justin (Julie) Bannwart, all of North Liberty; grandchildren, Paige, Ella, Layke, Lyla, Braylie, Rowan, Delanie, Lydia, and Brielle Bannwart, Bryce Peterson, and Brooke Butts; great-granddaughter, Georgia Ruiz; sisters, Wendy (John) Shei of Westville and Jeanne (Steven) Osborn of La Porte; brother, Keith (Jodi) Bannwart of Casa Grande, AZ; as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He was a member of Mill Creek Baptist Church.

In 1971, Larry proposed to Jean and bought his first tractor. They were married on July 8, 1972 at First Baptist Church in La Porte, IN. Together they purchased their first farm near North Liberty, IN in 1973 where they raised four sons who continue to farm today. Larry was an entrepreneur who ran a grain and fertilizer trucking company that expanded into food grade commodities, dry bulk trucking as well as salvage. The trucking operation expanded into the purchase of a grain elevator in Hanna, IN and Midwest Agri was born. The business included government warehousing and grain merchandising. To realize his vision of value-added agricultural products, a grain milling operation was built in La Porte Indiana on the site of the old East Side Supply company near Clear Lake. Millstone Mills began operations in 2003 milling a variety of corn products and his own private label Papa's Grits for retail, wholesale, and government markets. Larry enjoyed reading, raising beef cattle, and most importantly, spending time with friends and family that he held dear.

Cremation has taken place with Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, La Porte.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center with Pastor Joshua Carney officiating.

A time of visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service on Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Mill Creek Baptist Church, P.O. Box 294, Mill Creek, IN 46365.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.cutlercares.com.