Lawrence C. Linn

Larry Linn, 83, of Mansfield, died at home on Sunday, January 17, 2021 with both his wife and daughter by his side. He had battled pneumonia, sepsis, and cancer of the blood.



Larry was born January 22, 1937 in Galion to the late Otto and Stella (Flynn) Linn. He graduated from Crestline High School and shortly thereafter, served in the US Army during the Korean war. He was stationed in Korea where he worked counterintelligence and had the opportunity of interviewing fleeing North Koreans before his honorable discharge in 1964.



He graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and went on to receive his Master of Science degree from Purdue University. Larry put his schooling to good use by becoming a teacher and educating ninth graders in Mansfield City schools where he taught OWA classes. Larry also spent time teaching at Mid-Ohio Preschool where he was well respected by many parents for giving their children a solid educational foundation. His teaching career spanned 30 years and he helped better hundreds of young lives. Larry will also be remembered as the owner of Linn Landscape Company which he and wife Linda operated for many years. He had a great love of gardening and was very knowledgeable about plants, shrubs and trees, therefore landscaping felt like more of a hobby.



Larry loved doing watercolor paintings, some of which were framed and others became treasures given as greeting cards to friends and family. In earlier years, he loved reading the New York Times and working their daily crossword puzzles. He enjoyed reading a good book and some of his favorites were, Truman Capote, A Christmas Memory, One Christmas and The Thanksgiving Visitor. Linda also remembers the many sentimental cards she received over their 47 years of marriage. She has held onto 115 of them and written in one of her favorites was: “I’ll love you till the stars fall out of the sky, till Leo (dog) is Liza (Cat), till I buy a new suit, till cars run on water, till cows give wine (yum!!), till Makers Mark is free and till next year when I can think of some new ones!”



Larry was a longtime member of the Mansfield Men’s Garden Club, serving as president in 1996 and from 2008-2012. He was also a member of the Mansfield Art Center, Kingwood Center and the First Congregational Church on Millsboro Road.



In addition to his wife, Linda Sue Cosgrove Linn, Larry is survived by his daughter, Michelle (David) Essex; sisters, Peg (Mo) Gatchall, Dollie (Dick) Hatfield, Mary Briner (Ed, deceased); and a brother, Bill Linn. Larry was preceded in death by his son, Corey Linn and several brothers and sisters.



In the Spring, Larry’s immediate family will hold a private graveside funeral with full Military Rites in Oakwood Cemetery to honor his FABULOUS life. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made payable to Mansfield Men’s Garden Club, Peace Fellowship, or First Congregational Church. These gifts will be accepted through Wise Funeral Service at 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820. Photos and expressions of sympathy can be shared on his Tribute Wall.