Lawrence J. Migedt, 75, formerly of Syracuse, Ind., Big Pine Key, Fla, and Goshen, Ind., passed away peacefully at his home with family in Englewood, Fla., due to cancer on April 15, 2014.

Lawrence, better known as Larry, was born on July 25, 1938, in Detroit, Mich., to Dolores Migedt Nadlicki and was raised by his aunt and uncle, Fran and Ted Phair.

In addition to serving in the United States Army in the 82nd Airborne Division, Larry owned multiple businesses in Florida and Indiana. He retired from Riverside Tool Corp. in Elkhart, Ind., where he worked in sales and customer service. Larry was fondly known to customers and associates as “The Old Man” or the “Candy Man” as he always greeted you with a piece of candy. He never knew a stranger.

Larry came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ 40 years ago and saw it transform himself and his family. He faithfully served in the church, most recently at West Coast Church in Englewood as a board member and usher. He also did work with Habitat for Humanity.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years: Barbara; daughters: Nancy (Pat) Mignery, Susan (Bob) Penick and Cynthia Holcomb; a son: Ronald (Angela) Migedt; nine grandchildren: Adam Mignery, Sarah Lockridge, Jenny Smithson, Elizabeth Penick, Ian Kintigh, Lisa McMullens, Ronald Jr. “Johnny” Migedt, Mindy Migedt and Hunter Migedt; two sisters: Beverly (Tony) Ventimiglia and Carol Klank; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son: Mark Holcomb.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 25, at West Coast Church, 240 Pine St., Englewood, FL 34223.

Memorials may be made to West Coast Church www.westcoastchurch.com for their building expansion, a project that Larry was passionate about.