Lawrence Reeves

LAWRENCE REEVES

DOW - Lawrence Ronald Reeves, formerly of Eldred, died at 5:16 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2026 at Jersey Community Hospital in Jerseyville.

He was born in Grafton, Illinois on April 12, 1938 and was the last surviving child born to the late Lawrence and Helen (Keene) Reeves.

He was raised in Grafton, and it was there that he married his wife, the former Laveeda Wright on January 6, 1956. The two remained in Grafton for many years where he was employed with the Stumpe Dairy Farm in Dow, Nugent & Schapanski Orchard in Grafton, and later with Olin Corporation in East Alton.

With his passion for being outdoors, factory work just didn't seem like the right fit, so he and his wife, Laveeda purchased a farm in Eldred in the mid 1960's, (the actual year is debated amongst the boys) and moved their family of four sons out to the country. They shared nearly 60 years of marriage before Laveeda passed away on November 14, 2015.

He spent the majority of his adult life farming the land he so dearly loved, enjoying nature, and the simple pleasures of life. A true cowboy at heart, he enjoyed everything associated with horses, whether it was their care and raising that was required, the riding, and the many friendships that were developed along the way that he so treasured.

He possessed a contagious laugh, and was quite the flirt, and he wouldn't turn down a cold beer, or the occasional Old #7.

He is survived by his three sons, Ronald "Buck" (Bonnie) Reeves of Dow, Lawrence "Larry" Reeves of Carrollton, and Kevin (Sharon) Reeves of Virden; a daughter in-law, Trude Reeves of Jerseyville; 5 Grandchildren, Chasity Dilks of St. Charles, Mo., Jared Reeves of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Eric (Katie) Reeves of Rockbridge, Kimberly (Adam) Eilerman of Batchtown, and Kari Schofield of White Hall; 15 Great Grandchildren, Karissa, Lillian, Josh, Luke, Drew, Oliver, Caleb, Anabel, Henry, Matthew, Ethan, Quentin, Raven, Lucas and Aiden; two great great grandchildren; a brother in-law, Charles Baker of Jerseyville, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Robert "Bob" Reeves on February 27, 2021; a grandson, Justin "JD" Carter on June 18, 2011; a daughter in-law, Anna Marie Reeves on September 26, 2005;  a sister, Martha Baker; and two brothers, Walter Reeves and Donald Reeves, along with a special person in his life, Ada Hooper of Grafton, who was like a second mother to Lawrence.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m., until time of funeral services at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 5, 2026 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, with Rev. John Shelton officiating. The family encourages those in attendance to wear western wear. 

He will be laid to rest in Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Eldred.

Memorials may be given to Shriners Hospital.

The family would like to thank the staff of Jerseyville Manor for the wonderful care he received in his last few years. Your kindness will never be forgotten. 

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