Larry L. Rueger's Obituary
Mr. Larry Lee Rueger, age 70, stepped into heaven Sunday morning, July 31, 2011. He was born June 17, 1941 in Evansville, IN to Carl and Vernita (Kiesel) Rueger and had resided in the Muskegon area since 1966. Larry taught at Muskegon Heights High School from 1966-1968. He then went to Mona Shores, where he taught vocal music for 27 years before retiring in 1996. Larry spent 43 years as a football coach, coaching for the Mona Shores Sailors and as defensive coordinator for the Fruitport Trojans. He was inducted into the Michigan Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1995. He was also the winner of the “Jim Crowley Award” for coaching football and will be inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame in September. He served as past-president of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association in 1995 and was also a founding member of the East-West All-Star Football Game and served as its Game Day Director for 25 years. Larry was a member of the Masonic Lodge Lovell Moore #182 in Muskegon, and was named Saladin Shriner of the Year in 1990. He had the privilege of directing the Saladin Chanters, who won 8 International Championships under his direction. He served as Circus Chairman of the Shrine Circus for 10 years. Larry was a member of Lake Harbor United Methodist Church, where he had served as choir director for many years. On June 6, 1965 he married Connie J. Hoadley in Evansville, IN. She survives him along with a daughter, Kimberly Ann (Jeffery) Rueger-West of St. Clair Shores, MI; son-in-law, James Garland (Emily) Dixon of Grand Rapids; 4 grandchildren, Nicholas and Shannon Jo West, and Bradley and Marcus Dixon; brother, Thomas John (Laura) Rueger of Seymour, IN; his sister, Karla Jo (Gregory) Carlile of Evansville, IN; his brother-in-law, James Robert (Pat) Siscel of Bicknell, IN; his brother-in-law, Gary James Hoadley (Juanita) of Evansville, IN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his daughter, Tara Dixon, and his sister-in-law, Shirley Siscel. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at the Mona Shores High School Auditorium with James K. Tanis officiating. VISITATION with the family will be from 1-3 & 5:30-8 PM Monday at The Lee Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 6291 S. Harvey St. (231) 798-1100 with a Masonic Service held at 8 PM. Envelopes for donations will be available at the funeral home. Share memories with the family at their On-line Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com
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