Larry Charles Riden of Walnut Grove and Marco Island, FL
Larry Charles Riden of Walnut Grove, and Marco Island, FL, passed away peacefully on Wednesday July 29, 2026 in Naples, FL.
Larry was born on Sept. 4, 1943 to Henry George & Pauline Matilda Chenoweth Riden. He had three brothers; John “Bud,” Jim, and Melvin Riden. He graduated from Roseville High School in 1961. Upon graduation, Larry began working for Clayton Hobbs as a hired hand. Later he began working for International Minerals and Chemical Co. (IMC) in Walnut Grove, where he would eventually start Riden Farm Supply. He managed Good Hope Fertilizer until 1973 and would start Riden Farm Supply in 1974.
Larry was a very active member of the Good Hope-Sciota Lions Club for many years, a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association and American Paint Horse Association, and devoted supporter of 4-H and the National FFA Organization. He received his Honorary State FFA Degree in 2018. Larry served as the Walnut Grove Township Clerk and Supervisor. He was also a member of the Illinois Fertilizer Association and the Illinois Propane Gas Association. Later in life Larry attended Spoon River College and Western Illinois University. Larry also enjoyed playing card games with his family and friends for many years. He was one of the founding five couples of the Walnut Grove Card Club who played cards once a month for 55 years. Larry especially enjoyed playing Call Your Partner - 10-point pitch and Hand, Knee, and Foot.
Larry was a respected member of the community and adored by his friends and family, who loved nothing more than seeing him happy. Larry's greatest accomplishment was owning and operating Riden Farm Supply for over 50 years. He started the 'plant' on Jan. 1, 1974 with the help of 5 local farmers who believed in his passion and dedication to our agricultural community. When Larry first started Riden Farm Supply, he had one employee besides himself, a small office, one larger building, and an ammonia tank. Over the past 53 years, Larry employed over 100 individuals at Riden Farm Supply where they now operate several large pieces of equipment and specialize in assisting local farmers with fertilizer and pesticide application, LP gas, seed sales, as well as GPS soil sampling.
Larry married Patricia Terry in 1962 in Bushnell. They had three children Teresa (Jeff) Hofmeister of Colorado Springs, CO, Scott (Mindy) Riden of Good Hope, and Karen Riden of LaHarpe. He had 8 grandchildren Kaleigh Gasperi of Good Hope, Kyle (Makenzie) Hofmeister of Lebanon, TN, Katie Hofmeister (Peter Jennings) of Naples, FL, Sydney Riden (Colton Braun) of Rushville, and Wesley, Owen, Veronica, and Elizabeth all of LaHarpe. He also had one great-grandchild, Natalie Hofmeister, and another great-granddaughter on the way.
Larry married Shirley Hicks on Dec. 23, 2025 in Marco Island, FL.
Larry enjoyed Folger's coffee, John Deere tractors, GMC trucks, John Wayne westerns, Swisher Sweet cigars, word jumble games, and a good game of blitz or pitch. He could often be found wearing a blue shirt, jeans, and a Riden Farm Supply ball cap or a cowboy hat in the summer. However, a few of his favorite pastimes were driving the roads of McDonough County gazing at corn, soybean, or hay fields; he truly loved the land. He also enjoyed driving his team of horses and buggies for a wedding, parade, or antique horse show, watching his kids and grandkids show their horses, attending their sporting events, or watching them live out their greatest passions. Larry was stubborn as a mule and only believed there were 3 ways to do things; the right way, the wrong way, and the 'Riden' way.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents Henry & Pauline Riden, wife Patricia Terry Riden, brothers John 'Bud' and Melvin Riden, sister-in-law Pamela Terry, and two brother-in-laws Robert Camp and David Terry.
Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026 at the Community Christian Center in Bushnell. Visitation will be held from 4 - 7 PM Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 at the Community Christian Center. Burial will be in the Bushnell Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Larry and Pattie Riden Memorial Fund to be distributed to local charities and youth organizations. Martin-Hollis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the guestbook and leave condolences at www.martinhollisfh.com.
