LARRY JAMES MUMMERT

Larry Mummert

Larry James Mummert, 79, of Havana died at 8:10 p.m. Dec. 1, 2021, at Springfield Memorial Hospital in Springfield.

He was born Feb. 8, 1942, in Macomb, a son of Mary Alice Skiles Mummert and Marshall Markley Mummert. He married Blanche Ellen Baxter on Nov. 25, 1967, in Canton.

Surviving are two sons, James Marshall Mummert of San Diego, Calif., and John Dennis (and Dilanthi DeAlwis) Mummert of Orange County, Calif.; one daughter, Jule Ellen Mummert of Florida; one sister, Ginger Jane Mummert Masten of Pacifica, Calif.; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Dennis Lynn Mummert.

He was raised in rural Astoria on a working farm, which has remained in his family since 1887. He had his own farming operation shortly after he graduated from Astoria High School in 1960.

He was a full-time farmer by trade, farming over 1,000 acres of corn and soybeans, while working as a cattle trader, buying, tending to and reselling 300-500 cattle per year.

He was the highest rank E-5 Sergeant in the United States Army Reserves in the 208 Transportation Unit, serving from 1963-69, and held Veteran status with honor.

He earned his real estate license, listing and selling farms and residential properties. It was during this time he increased his own rental property portfolio, at one point owning over 30 rental units. He also purchased and sold farm land.

He held various positions over the years, in addition to farming, real estate and as a landlord working for the Illinois Department of Agriculture for 10 years as a Products and Standards Inspector for the Department of Weights and Measures and in Food Safety and Animal Protection. He also held positions at Caterpillar and Butler Service Group.

He enrolled at Spoon River College, initially for courses in Technology and Business Law, among others. After retiring from the state, he re-enrolled in various courses primarily to pursue an Associates in Arts and Sciences.

He was involved with many organizations, often serving in leadership positions, including the Fulton County Farm Bureau since 1960, serving on the Board of Directors; Woodland Township Precinct Committeeman; Fulton County Board of Realtors; Fulton County Cooperative Extension Board; Friends of the Library, Astoria; and more.

He was a longtime active member of Astoria United Methodist Church since 1955, serving on the Board of Trustees as Chairman of the Board and on many other committees. Most recently, changing his membership to United Methodist Church of Havana, where he supported youth programs and donated charitably.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church in Havana. A visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at Summum Cemetery. All are welcome to attend.

Memorials may be made to Havana First United Methodist Church to go toward their “Youth Mission Trip” or to “Liberia Scholarships” for school tuition. Donations can be dropped in envelopes at the church or mailed to Havana First United Methodist Church, 101 S. Broadway, Havana, IL 62644.

Condolences may be sent to www.shawgomemorialhome.org.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 12/8/2021