Larry J. Schwartzbach, 62, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, July 13, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Larry was born on April 26, 1964, in Ottawa, Illinois, to Lawrence and Laura (Kennedy) Schwartzbach. On September 16, 1994, he married the love of his life, Margina Bernard.

Growing up near the old Ottawa Airport, Larry developed a passion for aviation. He worked there washing and fueling airplanes to pay for flying lessons and proudly earned his pilot’s license at just 16 years old.

As an adult, Larry worked at MBL (USA) in Ottawa before joining Spring Brook Marina in Seneca, where he spent many years doing what he loved most—working with boats. In 2013, he turned his love of boats into his own business and established River Bend Marine Management.

Dedicated to expanding his maritime knowledge and skills, Larry later attended the United States Marine Academy, where he earned his U.S. Coast Guard 100-Ton Master Captain’s License—an accomplishment of which he was especially proud.

Larry had a gift for pursuing his passions and hobbies wholeheartedly. One of Larry’s favorite places was Apache Pier in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he enjoyed fishing with his family. In recent years, he became a classic car enthusiast, attending countless car shows and cruise nights with his 76' Chevelle Laguna S-3. He was a member of the Mendota Moose Lodge #714 and Mendota Elks Lodge #1212.

Whether it was boating, motorsports, hunting, fishing, or classic cars, Larry found joy in both the hobby itself and the people who shared it with him. He especially loved teaching his children about his passions. He passed on his love of deer hunting to both Jake and Tanner, introducing them to hunting at a young age.

Larry and Margina shared a love of traveling. After a day of going somewhere new or doing something fun, they would often say, “We sure played hard,” a phrase that reflected the joy they found in the adventures they shared.

Over the past year, Larry looked forward to his daily phone calls with his son, Tanner. Their conversations often stretched on for hours. Baxter, Larry’s loyal companion, was often right by his side during those calls, a constant presence and beloved part of his everyday life.

Above all else, becoming a grandfather brought Larry immeasurable happiness, and his grandchildren were the greatest joy of his life in recent years. Nothing brought a bigger smile to his face than seeing his grandchildren. He treasured every opportunity to spend time with them.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Margina; his children, Tanner (Chelsea) Schwartzbach, Janelle (Chris) Gabrys, and Jake (Emily Cunningham) Thompson; grandchildren, Sutton and Rhett Schwartzbach, and Eli, Evan, and Casey Gabrys; sisters, Danielle (Rick) Scaman and Michaela Hall; mother-in-law Joyce Bernard, brother-in-law Kevin (Wendy) Bernard, and numerous nieces and nephews, and aunts and uncles.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by father-in-law, Donald Bernard Sr.

Larry will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, unwavering determination, and the passion he brought to every aspect of his life. His legacy lives on in the countless lessons he shared, the memories he created, and the family he loved so deeply.

A funeral service will take place at 5:00 P.M. Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the Horner-Merritt Funeral Home, 800 Monroe Street, in Mendota with Chaplain Rick Eldred officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home on Sunday. Cremation care will be provided after the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mendota Moose Lodge in Larry's name or an organization of the donor's choice. Please visit www.horner-merritt.com to sign the online guest book.