Lawrence Ayers

AUSTINTOWN - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for Lawrence W. “Larry” Ayers, 73, who passed away Saturday morning at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

He was born on June 20, 1945, in Warren, the son of James W. and Stella (Peters) Ayers and was a 1964 graduate of Howland High School.

Larry retired from General Motors Lordstown, in 1998 after 28 years of service.

He was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish since 1970. He was a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus with the Msgr. Mears Council, No. 3930 in Austintown.  He was a two term president of the IHM Home and School Association and a member of the IHM Parish Council for a number of years, twice serving as its president.

Larry served as chairperson of the Adult Outreach Program for 20 years and also taught 7th grade CCD for 22 years and the Director of the Youth Ministry Program for 12 years. He was one of the original 7 Parish Festival Board members and was also the first Parish Center Manager at IHM.

He enjoyed gardening, animals, cooking and enjoyed food and spirits with family, friends from church and General Motors. He also was an avid Notre Dame, Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians fan.

Larry leaves his former wife, Nancy L. Ayers of Austintown; his son, Joshua J. Ayers of Hartville; and a brother, Donald Ayers of Howland.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jeanette of Texas.

Family and friends may call Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, material tributes may take the form of donations to Angels For Animals, 4750 S Range, Canfield, OH 44406.

Professional arrangements are being handled by Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel.