Larry L. Burkhalter, 79 of South Wayne passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at his home. He was born on June 14, 1946 the son of Lloyd and Anna (Timmons) Burkhalter. Larry graduated from South Wayne High School in 1964 and went on to complete the Agriculture Short Course in Madison.

Larry proudly served in the United States Army from 1966 until 1968 during the Vietnam War earning the rank of SPC4 as a mechanic on amphibious vehicles. On November 7, 1970 Larry was united in marriage to Joy Bower at the Warren Baptist Church.

Larry was a lifelong farmer. His career in farming began with milking cows on his dad’s farm. In 1977 he and Joy bought their farm acreage outside of South Wayne where he began raising hogs until he realized he didn’t like that and switched to raising beef cattle and crop farming. In addition to his work on the farm, he spent many years working part-time alongside his father at Nutrena Feeds, later at Greg’s Feed & Seed in South Wayne, and at their fertilizer plant in Wiota. Larry was known for his strong work ethic and his faith; he was never one to sit still and continued working without slowing down. In his free time, he enjoyed watching football, attending car shows with his 1969 blue Camaro, and taking Sunday drives with his family. Above all, Larry loved spending time with friends and family; he was a talker who loved to laugh and have a good time.

Larry is survived by his wife, Joy; children, Tiffany Melland, Matthew (Tiffany Vrstal) Burkhalter, and Sharon (Todd) Eastvold; grandchildren, River, Athena, Evalyn, Norah, Naomi, and Flint; siblings, Gary (Debbie) Burkhalter, JoAnn McGuire, and Laureen (Tom) Presney; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother-in-law, Gary McGuire.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. noon at Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home. A private family burial will take place at LaDue Cemetery.