2014 April 5: Larry Maxwell

Larry D. Maxwell, 75, passed away Saturday April 5th, 2014 at HCI Kavanaugh House on 56th Street in Des Moines, IA.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Ankeny Memorial Funeral Home on Saturday, April 12th, 2014. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm with memorial service beginning at 5:30 pm. Graveside services will be Saturday, May 31st, 2014 at Davenport Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Davenport, IA. Larry was born in Perry, Iowa on March 9th, 1939. He was the youngest son of Malcolm and Wilma (Morton) Maxwell and spent his youth in Des Moines, IA graduating from Lincoln High School in 1957. He participated in football, basketball, and musical events. He graduated from Drake University College of Pharmacy in 1961, where he was a member of the Kiwanis Circle Club and Phi Delta Chi Pharmacy Fraternity.

In 1966, he proudly became the first pharmacist employed by Hammond Henry Hospital in Geneseo, IL. In 1972, Larry and his family relocated to Bettendorf, Iowa and purchased Stewart Pharmacy. He renamed the pharmacy Bettendorf Drugs, Inc. and operated the store until 1989. He then worked at Osco Drug until his retirement in 1996. Larry believed in helping others and was a 25 year member of the Davenport Elks Club, a SHIIP volunteer, a RSVP member and an AARP Volunteer Educator.

He was a fun loving, witty man who loved fishing, golfing and playing games. After retirement, Larry and Sonja enjoyed traveling in their motorhome and participating in their camping clubs, the Winnie Hawks and We Wan To Gos. His family was of the utmost importance to him and he will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sonja (Ingle) Maxwell and two children; son Brad (Karen J.) Maxwell of Davenport, IA and daughter Karen K. (Joe) Merrill of Ankeny, IA; Grandchildren Derek and Erin Maxwell and Jessica and Benjamin Merrill; as well as Step Mother- in- Law Orleath Ingle of Ankeny, IA, Sister- in- Law Nancy Maxwell of East Moline, Il; four nephews, 2 nieces and many great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Donald Maxwell and a sister, Ardeth Baber.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Larry Maxwell Family Scholarship Fund, Drake University, College of Pharmacy, 2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311.