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Service:
Private family Services are to be held with burial
following at Eiler Cemetery, Shelby County. A public
Memorial Service will be held at Lincoln Christian
University at a later date, with more details to
follow.
Funeral home:
McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, Pana
Obituary
Lynn Ryburn Laughlin, 81, ascended
home to Heaven on July 11, 2023, at 6:55 a.m.
surrounded in love and unity by a network of family
and friends that stretches around the globe. Lynn
was born on June 24, 1942, the middle son of Pastor
Ernest E. and Naomi (McFadin) Laughlin in Massillon,
Ohio. Destined for lifelong ministry, Lynn grew up
in Springfield, Illinois, where the Laughlin family
served as a pillar of West Side Christian Church
leadership. On June 1, 1979, Lynn wed the love of
his life, Lois Evelyn Whitlatch, at Jefferson Street
Christian Church in Lincoln Illinois. Lynn and Lois
were blessed with 44 years of love and partnership.
Accomplished professionally and academically, Lynn
is a proud graduate of Lincoln Christian College
(later Lincoln Christian University) where he
distinguished himself on Student Cabinet and the
basketball court under the mentorship of Coach “Doc”
Henderson. Lynn devoted the next 56 years of his
life in service to Lincoln Christian University.
Among the roles he fulfilled were Basketball Coach,
Athletic Director, Professor of New Testament and
Physical Education, Director of Student Services,
Dean of Men, Director of Recruitment, Dayspring and
Camp Teams, Vice President of Student Development,
Vice President of Alumni Services, Hall of Fame
Inductee, and Special Assistant to the President.
From Lincoln Christian, he holds a Bachelor in
Preaching, Masters in New Testament and Honorary
Doctor of Divinity. Lynn also obtained a bachelor's
and master's in physical education from Millikin
University and Illinois State University,
respectively. In 2017, Lynn was honored as the only
member of faculty or staff to serve over a half
century with Lincoln Christian. Also, a long-time
leader in Rotary International and multi-term
president of the Rotary Club of Lincoln, Illinois,
Lynn is the recipient of the Paul Harris Award,
Rotary’s highest honor.
In truth, Lynn’s legacy is people. Lynn served
throughout his life as a minister – guest preaching
and officiating at hundreds of baptisms, weddings
and funerals for generations of families, friends
and alumni. Among many extraordinary gifts was
Lynn’s masterful recall of faces, names, and details
that conveyed to each person his genuine care and
ability to be present in each moment. A man of
integrity and humility, he nurtured thousands of
personal friendships and influenced tens of
thousands of lives through a genuine love and spirit
of inclusion of people from all walks of life. He
was an ageless energy, fueled by connection with
people, inspiring, belonging, laughter and spiritual
self-reflection.
For many, Lynn represented the
essence of Christian character. He is known and
remembered as an irreplaceable coach, mentor,
colleague, uncle, brother, father, husband and
friend. We remember his easy smile and constant
humor, his full-throated laughter and resounding
singing voice, the gleam in his eyes, and his
abiding devotion to Cardinals baseball. |
At the center of the worldwide fellowship of
people who cherish Lynn’s memory are wife Lois of Tower
Hill, Illinois, brother David (Jeanie) Laughlin, son Stephen
(Jeannie) Laughlin of Lindenhurst, Illinois. Daughters
Melissa (Kevin) Fry of Springfield, Illinois, and Tasha
(Kevin) Palzkill of Reno, Nevada, daughter Sarah Laughlin
and son Marty Laughlin of Tower Hill, Illinois.
Grandchildren: Colin, Kendra, Tori, Allie, Josie, Jackson,
and Rilee and 1 great-grandchild. Lynn was preceded in death
by his beloved parents and brother, Kirby.
We are comforted in knowing that if Lynn could have so much
impact with just eight decades on Earth, imagine what is
possible now that he is reunited with his Creator and on the
timeline of The Eternal.
Private family Services are to be held with burial following
at Eiler Cemetery, Shelby County. A public Memorial Service
will be held at Lincoln Christian University at a later
date, with more details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
Tower Hill Christian Church and Lincoln Christian University
Laughlin Scholarship. Friends are encouraged to leave a
memory or message of condolence by visiting mdfh.com
McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, Pana, is assisting the family.
[photo copied from social media] |
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