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Lyndle E. Labby, Jr., age 51, of Pike County, IL, went home on Monday, March 28, 2022, to be with the Lord. On October 29, 1970, he was born in Pittsfield, IL, to Lyndle E. Labby, Sr., and Gladys Smith. He joined in Holy Matrimony on January 30th, 2019, to his eternal helpmate, Patricia Kay Juenger, at the Pittsfield Church of the Nazarene.
Lynn graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1989. He then began his sandblasting and painting career, walking in his father’s footsteps. Lynn was on the road much of his early years. He bravely traveled to nearly all 50 states, as far as the Virgin Islands and much of the East Coast. Lynn painted water towers, the Florence and Hardin bridges, and various barns in the area. Lyndle, Sr., helped Lynn purchase his first farm, and he named it “The 8”. Lynn also began raising hunting dogs; his favorite dog was Jewell. Lynn built a rope suspension bridge to cross the creek to get to his house; he “lived like Labby.” Lynn inherited a lifelong passion for boxing from his father and passed it on to his sons. In the early 1990’s he won the Golden Gloves Boxing Championship twice. His eldest, Traye, became a professional boxer, and Lynn was Traye’s biggest fan.
Lynn unexpectedly lost his father in 2001, and it affected him tremendously. Lynn mourned from dusk till dawn in the woods for 30 days to allow God to heal his broken heart. After his father’s death, he chose to sell “The 8” and purchased “The 40”. A beautiful friendship with his neighbor, Debra Lou Grimes, blossomed at this time. Debi will always consider Lynn her “Spirit son.” Helping each other to the end, Debra and Lynn corralled five boys: JJ, Joey, Traye, Laken, and Brenton, in addition to Debi’s sons John, Jeremiah, Levi, Luke, and so many others. So many of these boys viewed Lynn as their father, regardless of their blood. He took them hunting, fishing, mushroomin’, ginsein’, shed hunting, trapping and taught them everything about the outdoors.
On “The 40,” Lynn endured a tragic house fire. He and his daughter, Ashlyn, then converted a grain bin into a beautiful home– their shared masterpiece. Lynn told stories of four-year-old Ashlyn holding each nail as he hammered. He “lived like Labby.”
Lynn was involved with an organization called “Hunt of a Lifetime,” a program that shared the love of hunting with terminally ill patients. From this experience, Lynn began to take people on hunts, leading to “Bad Habit Outdoors.”
Lynn again lost another extraordinary man in 2012, his nephew, Brian “Mo” Walston. To purchase Mo’s farm, Lynn felt compelled by God to sell his “40” to a close friend, hoping to acquire it again.
Lynn took a sabbatical from painting and took on his new passion for logging, following after his father once again. During this time, he met Eddie Unsell, with whom he shared a natural kinship. Lynn and his cousin Shane Smith logged Eddie’s beautiful property and so began a successful logging career.
Lynn and Patricia reunited when she moved back to Pike County in 2017. Everyone around them felt their love of the Lord and their love for each other. God was the glue.
Lynn returned briefly to painting until he began his favorite job with Hadley Creek as a Hunting Guide and Farm Manager. Ed Ward and the entire crew felt like family. Lynn shared memorable trapping experiences with Ed. At Hadley, Lynn’s work was a culmination of his passions: checking trail cameras, planting food plots, trimming shooting lanes, and sharing time and stories with unique hunters from all over the country. Every single one of them adored Lynn. This entire opportunity allowed Lynn to celebrate the outdoors with family members and the Lord.
In 2021, Lynn and Patricia followed in faith to the Pearl Fuel Mart, knowing it was more than just a business. Their hearts continue to bleed for the community; Pearl is the “hidden treasure” of Pike County in their eyes. They were attending the Pearl Christian Church together, strengthening the foundation through God’s guidance, sharing the love of Jesus Christ.
Lynn and Patricia prayed faithfully and desired to follow God’s will. The Lord began many projects for the two, and Patricia is excited to continue following His guidance, refining the irons in the fire. Please understand I could not find enough words and pages to describe the love everyone has for Lynn.
Live Like Labby.
Lynn is survived by his loving wife Patricia Labby; his mother, Gladys (Robert) Clarkson of Pittsfield, IL; children, Traye (Carly) Labby of Milton, IL, Laken (Mercedes) Labby of St. Charles, MO, Ashlyn Labby of Pittsfield, IL; step-children Justin Barker of Griggsville, IL, Joey Barker of Eugene, OR, Brenton (Nikki) Noble of Pittsfield, IL, Jerica Walters of Milton, IL, Madeline (Sophia) Parkhurst of Bellingham, WA, Samantha Bess of Tacoma, WA, Kaitlyn Bess of Hattiesburg, MS, and Isaac Bess of Hattiesburg, MS; three grandchildren, Braelyn Labby, Bostyn Labby, and Holden Parkhurt; three brothers, Dana Reeder of Camp Point, IL, Darin Reeder of Pittsfield, IL, and Kurtis Labby of Conway, MO; sisters, Janice (Doug) Jenkins of Liberty, IL, Tina (Neal) Stanley of Milton, IL, Tanya (Steve) Borrowman of Pearl, IL; in-laws, Joyce Frazier and Jay Leahy; extended family; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lyndle E. Labby, Sr.; brothers, Rick Reeder and Ronnie Labby; sister, Joani Walston; maternal and paternal grandparents; two nieces, two nephews, one great niece, and several aunts and uncles.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 10:00 Am at the Pittsfield Church of the Nazarene. Interment will follow at Greenpond Cemetery near Pearl, IL. Memorials are suggested to be made to the Labby Family c/o Niebur Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lyndle E Labby, Jr., please visit our floral store.
Niebur Funeral Home
530 West Adams, Pittsfield IL 62363
Tel: 1-217-285-5505
Email: info@nieburfh.com