Larry D. Hundsdorfer, 54, of Belleville, IL, born Friday, October 8, 1971, in Highland, IL, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at Evelyn’s House in Creve Coeur, MO.
Larry was a lieutenant with McKendree University Public Safety where he worked for more than 25 years. He was a member of Hope Chapel in Belleville IL, a lifetime member of the VFW-Highland, loved his church, the McKendree Bearcats, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears. He was also an Assistant Chief of Police in Summerfield, IL. He was a United States Army Veteran who served in the Iraq War.
Larry earned his Eagle Scout the highest achievement rank in the Scouts BSA program of Scouting America. He graduated from Highland High School in 1990. He joined the U.S. Army and became a military police officer in 1991 after completing training in Alabama. He served as active-duty military for seven years, then joined the Illinois National Guard serving until 2004. Larry was stationed in South Korea, Cuba and Germany and served combat tours in Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
He joined the public safety team at McKendree in 1998. He loved the students and coworkers so much that he joined them in study – graduating in 2024 with a B.A. in sociology.
Larry became a father in 1996 when Bill was born in Colorado. He was a single dad when he met Melanie in 2000 and was swept off his feet. The couple married in 2004. The marriage endured for 22 years rooted in faith in God and an abiding love and devotion to one another.
Elias blessed the couple four years later. Larry and Elias shared a special bond, playing video games and enjoying the Chicago Bears and the Cardinals games together. Larry mentored his son in his faith and bestowed on him a love for family, his church and baseball.
Larry and Bill reconnected during Larry’s illness, one of the blessings of Larry’s final days.
Larry was the consummate nice guy, who appreciated God’s creation walking on local trails and annual visits to Laumeier Sculpture Park with his family. He and Melanie enjoyed playing a wicked game of cribbage and rummy.
Larry was a devoted son, husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. He used his faith as an example to others, showing a quiet, warm kindness to everyone he met.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Father
- David Earl Hundsdorfer
Surviving are his:
- Wife
- Melanie, nee England, Hundsdorfer of Belleville, IL
- Children
- William Hundsdorfer of Modesto, CA
- Elias Hundsdorfer of Belleville, IL
- Mother
- Mary Ann, nee Spies, Hundsdorfer of Highland, IL
- Brother
- Timothy (Susan) Hundsdorfer
- Sister
- Beth Hundsdorfer
- Nieces
- Kathryn (Michael) Morthland
- Hannah (Jameson) Boston
- Sage Hundsdorfer
- Emma Hundsdorfer
- Great-nephew
- Walter Morthland
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Visitation: Visitation from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, August 3, 2026, at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL and from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Kurrus Funeral Home.
Services: Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL with Pastor David Raynaud officiating.
A funeral procession will leave Kurrus at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5th, for a 10:30 graveside service with honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.
