Larry L. Criswell

Larry L. Criswell, 84, passed away Monday, July 29, 2024, in Wichita, Kan. Larry was born the

youngest of 8 children on August 1, 1939, to James Oscar and Cora (Boren) Criswell in Selden,

Kansas. He graduated from Wilson High School in 1959. He married Geraldine (Gerry) A.

(Anschutz) in 1961 in Wilson, Kansas.

Larry is survived by his wife Gerry of Wichita; sons David (Kim), Wilson, and Daniel (Hollie),

Graham, Texas, and daughter Amy (Dr. Mark) Hilger, Wichita; grandchildren Anna (Dean)

Masters, Burlington, Kan, John Criswell, Cimmaron, Kan, Cara Criswell, Hays, Leah Criswell,

Wilson, Alex Criswell, Lincoln, Neb, Jill (Andrew) Jonas, Kansas City, MO, Emalie (Michael)

Lindsey, Nashville, TN, Rachel Criswell, Wichita, Jace Hilger, Wichita, Tatum Hilger, Topeka,

Cade Hilger, Wichita; great-grandchildren Beau Jonas, Bennett Jonas, Lucille Lindsey, Hudson

Lindsey, and Spencer Masters.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Ethel Coppenhaver, Vera Armstrong and Doris

Davis, and brothers John, Darrel, Norman, and Norval Criswell.

During his working years, Larry acquired the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Army, was a

patrolman and detective on the Salina Police Department, and worked many years as an

insurance adjuster, manager for Graham Brother’s Entertainment, and as a partner in several

businesses.

Larry was a good athlete and enjoyed many sports, especially basketball and golf. While in the

U.S. Army, he played basketball on an Army team that scrimmaged with the Los Angeles

Lakers. He also coached youth basketball and baseball teams. Larry was a skilled card player,

especially pinocle and pitch, which he learned at a young age from his Mom.

Larry was interested in people and was a good listener with a good memory. He and Gerry, his

siblings and their spouses built and nurtured a large and close-knit family. He enjoyed telling

stories, cherished his family and friends, and was loved and adored by many.

A funeral service will be held on August 9, 2024, at 10:30 AM at the Cochran Mortuary, 1411 N.

Broadway, Wichita, followed by lunch at Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. A graveside

service will be held at the Wilson City Cemetery on August 10, 2024, at 1:30 PM, followed by

refreshments at the Wilson Methodist Ed Building.

Memorials are to Wilson Pride, Inc. and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, P.O. Box 533, Wilson,

Kansas, 67490.

For those who don’t know, Wilson Pride, Inc., was established in 2008 and

spearheaded the construction of Wilson’s Pride Park (splash park) among other important

community initiatives.