Larry M. Spurling, 76, of rural Columbia City, died peacefully at 4:45 a.m. Saturday, February 20, 2021, at Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.

He was born May 27, 1944, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a son of the late Robert L. and Lillian B. (Hemmelgarn) Spurling. From the third grade on, he attended Syracuse Elementary School and Syracuse High School.

In February 1963, he joined the U.S. Air Force. During his service, he completed his GED. He received an honorable discharge in January of 1967.

On March 2, 1968, he married Deborah M. Grabner. They have always made their home in rural Columbia City.

Employed by Dana Spicer Axle, Fort Wayne, he retired in 2001 with 32 years of service.

Throughout his life, he was a car enthusiast, particularly Studebakers. He owned a 1963 Studebaker Cruiser for over 30 years, accumulating less than 40,000 miles. During the summer months, he liked to attend the area car shows and was a regular at the James Dean car show in Fairmount. Sharing his interest with his son, together they maintain a 1973 Impala in showroom condition.

When his grandchildren came along, they became his focus. As they grew, he often read to them, took them to the zoo or a Cincinnati Red game, and never forgot their birthday celebration. Spending time with his grandkids was a priority. Sometimes it was dinner and a movie at the theater or family game night at great-nana's; he enjoyed them all.

Surviving is his wife of over 53 years, Debbie; children, Jennifer (Richard) Shew and Kevin (Kimberly) Spurling, both of Columbia City; grandchildren, Austin, Adam, & Amber Spurling, and Scott & Emily Shew; brothers, Robert N. Spurling of Syracuse and Tom (Dorothy VanHook) Spurling of Cromwell and a daughter-in-law, Becky Spurling of Cromwell.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Spurling.

The funeral service is 1 p.m. Thursday at the Blue River Church of the Brethren, 3040 E 700 N, Columbia City, IN. Burial is at the Blue River Cemetery. Visitation is 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, and one hour before the service at the church.

Preferred memorials are to the Blue River Church of the Brethren.