Lawrence AdkinsLawrence Richard Adkins, 75, of Fairview Heights, Ill., passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016 after a courageous two year battle with brain cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.Larry was born on August 23, 1941 in Decatur, Ill. to Floyd and Annabelle Adkins. He graduated from Lakeview High School in 1959. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business from Eastern Illinois University in 1963. Larry served in the U.S. Navy from 1964-1966 before working for the Burroughs Corporation from 1966-1969. Larry graduated from Illinois State University in 1969 with a Masters of Business Administration.Larry married Cheryl Adkins, nee Bond, the love of his life, on June 7, 1969 and moved to Belleville, Ill. He was successful as a financial advisor from 1969 until his retirement in 2005 working for Bache, Inc., E.F. Hutton, Kidder Peabody, and Morgan Stanley as a Senior Vice President.Larry has three daughters, Michelle Franklin of O'Fallon, MO, Lisa (Josh) Struewing of Shiloh, Ill., and Kristen (Todd) Burton of Fairview Heights, Ill. He was a wonderful, encouraging, and generous grandfather to Zachary Michael, Sarah Michelle, Jacob Benjamin, and Elizabeth Constance Franklin, Britton Adrian and Paisley Brooks Struewing, and Reese Lauren and Reagan Kate Burton. He encouraged each of them in their Christian walk and in their educational pursuits.Larry is survived by his wife of 47 years, daughters, grandchildren, and two sisters, Suzanne (Kenny) Dahman and Angela (Tony) Incarnato. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister Linda Neal, and brother Randy Adkins.Larry was known for his faith in Jesus Christ. He was a member of St. Matthew U.M.C. where he was a Sunday school teacher, served on the administrative board, the trustees, and was an usher. He was instrumental in starting the Good News Club at St. Matthew. He also attended the Explorers Bible Study, Caleb Bible Study, and CBMC Bible Study.We would like to thank everyone who came to visit with Larry, sent cards, or kept our family in their prayers. Special thanks to the professional staff at Siteman Cancer Center, Dr. Philip Chu, and the caregivers of Hospice of Southern Illinois.Donations in Larry's memory may be made to Good News Club at St. Matthew U.M.C., 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville, Illinois 62223 or Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S. Illinois Street, Belleville, Illinois 62220. Condolences may be expressed online at www.kurrusfh.com.Visitation: Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Ill.Funeral: Visitation will be held at the St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Belleville, Ill. from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 24, 2016 at the church, with Rev. James Slone and Rev. Larry Patton officiating. Interment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Ill.KURRUS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.