Larry Eugene Polk, of Leesburg, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at his home at the age of 87.
He was born on May 1, 1936, to Eugene “Gene” and Delight Paxton Polk in the family’s home in southern Kosciusko County. He attended elementary school at the Franklin School in Seward Township. Larry belonged to the Burket 4-H Club and showed Guernsey cows at the county fair. As a teen, he entered Burket School where he loved playing basketball and where he met his high school sweetheart who became his wife of 71 years, Shirley Ann Tinkey Polk.
Larry and Shirley moved to the Leesburg area in 1955 where they farmed while raising four kids and livestock. In his early days, Larry began buying and selling farm equipment from home. In 1963, he built Polk Farm Equipment on Ind. 15. This business grew to be a successful farm machinery dealership and salvage yard, holding many auctions over the years. When he wasn’t farming, working at the shop or travelling to auctions, Larry belonged to the Leesburg Lions Club and the Masonic Lodge. He also enjoyed collecting and restoring Case tractors. He was a past board member of the JI Case Collectors Association and a lifelong member of Echoes of the Past tractor club. Larry was a longtime member of Leesburg United Methodist Church where he enjoyed the fellowship of his church family.
Larry was most proud of his family. He adored his 11 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, and he could always be counted on for the best “horsey” rides and to slide them the candy dish. He will certainly be missed by all who knew and loved him. Larry is survived by his wife, Shirley Polk, Leesburg; sons, Dennis Polk, Chapman Lake, Warsaw; Tim (Lili) Polk, Warsaw; and his daughter, Sally Bailey, Leesburg.
Also surviving are 11 grandchildren: Jeff (Christy) Polk, Krista (Mike) Alm, Chris Polk, Jennifer (Cameron) Hatten, Karla (Joel) Shepherd, Janel (Brian) Zehring, Jeremiah (Rachael) Polk, Angie (David) Jarrett, Jacob (Rachel) Polk, Jordan (Linzi) Polk and Jared Polk; 25 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Dixie Nichols, Claypool. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Gary “Jake” Polk, on April 15, 2019; sister and brother-in-law, Sandra Kay and Ed Hatfield; brother-in-law, John Nichols.
Friends and family may visit from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. A Masonic service will follow at 7:30 p.m. conducted by the Kosciusko Lodge #418 F&AM of Milford.
Larry’s life will be celebrated with a service at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Mike Beezley and Pastor Rob Seewald. A graveside service will follow at Leesburg Cemetery in Leesburg.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Kosciusko County Community Foundation, 102 E. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580 to go towards The Larry and Shirley Polk Endowment Fund for Agriculture; or to Echoes of the Past, Inc., c/o Melinda Miller, 8298 W. 600 S., Claypool, IN 46510, in memory of Larry Polk.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.