Larson Edward “Kit” Wile, 106, of Festus, formerly of Lynchburg, Va., died Dec. 20, 2024. Following a tour of duty with the Navy in his early 20's, Mr. Wile and his wife, Arlene, moved to Missouri where he attended Missouri University of Science & Technology in Rolla and earned a degree in chemical engineering. He went on to have a long career as a metallurgist with Lynchburg Foundry, later becoming a consultant for the foundry and a sand mining business. He also owned a tree farm for pulp wood and the manufacturing of paper products. He became a member of the American Legion, the American Foundry Society and the Virginia Forestry Association, along with being a long-standing member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynchburg, Va. He was passionate about horses and owned several horses throughout his life. He enjoyed horseback riding with friends and family and watching equestrian sporting events, especially the Kentucky Derby. In his free time, he also enjoyed reading, fishing, traveling and hunting. He was an avid fan of sports, forestry and old Western movies. A man who loved to sing an old tune, one of his favorites was the theme song from the 1966 motion picture “El Dorado.” Born Dec. 6, 1918, in Mont Alto, Pa., he was the son of the late Charles Edward Wile and Lottie Jane (Reed) Wile.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of almost 50 years: Arlene Haugh Wile; and his second wife: Marquerite Farriss Wile.
He is survived by two daughters: Marilyn (Ed) Moore of Suffolk, Va., and Brenda (Vincent Love) Wile of Bonne Terre; a stepson: Ronnie Fariss of Lynchburg, Va.; a daughter: Judy Hinnant of Lynchburg, Va.; three granddaughters: Angela (Brian) Carson, DeAnna (Marquis) Johnson, both of Virginia Beach and Crystal (Brian) Quinlan of Odenton, Md.; six great-grandchildren: Reagan and Bolden Carson, Shawn, BriAnna and Adrian Johnson and Liam Quinlan; and many other family members and friends.
He also was preceded in death by a brother: Irvin Wile; and four sisters: Hazel Craeger, Mary Kline, Stella Mentzer and Dorothy Beam.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Collins House and the Mercy Hospice team for their compassion and care. Services will be held at a later date in Lynchburg, Va. Memorials be made to The Collins House, 102 Collins Drive, Festus, 63028, the Smile Train at support.smiletrain.org or to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Virginia 1000 Langhorne Road, Lynchburg, VA., 24503. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Funeral Home.