Delbert Delaine Mundt (91) of Dieterich
Published on May 2 2020 4:59 am
Graveside services will be conducted at the Dieterich Cemetery officiated by Pastor Jerry Bagwell. In loving memory of Delbert, the family ask that you plant a tree in honor of Delbert or in memory of a loved one, Worship Anew (formerly Worship for Shut-ins), Dieterich Schools Education Foundation, Lutheran Care Center of Altamont or donor’s choice. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here.
Our Dad loved being a part of this community and hoped that each person knows that one person’s contribution makes a difference.
Delbert was given life by his Creator on August 28, 1928, on the family farm in Bishop Township, rural Dieterich, Illinois, the son of Louis and Clara (Miller) Mundt. He married Geraldine (Jeri) Mellendorf on March 8th 1953, at St. John Lutheran Church on the Effingham – Clay County Line by the late Rev. Harold Schlicker. Jeri preceded him in death on June 7th 2019. He was blessed with six children.
Delbert was baptized and confirmed both by Rev. W.C. Redeker at St. John Lutheran Church of rural Dieterich. He attended Bishop Point one room grade school, He graduated from Dieterich 3 year High School in 1945 and Teutopolis High School in 1946. He attended Southern Illinois University and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1954 receiving a BS degree in Agriculture and a commission in the U.S. Air Force. While at the U of I, he was on the Championship Intramural Basketball Team. Delbert served in the U.S. Air Force for 3 years active duty in Wales and England, and then the Air Force Active Reserves for 7 years. He resigned as captain. Upon his return, Delbert went into partnership with his father on the farm 1958 – 1990. During that time, he also was an agent for Bishop Mutual Insurance Company taking over the role when his father retired until his own retirement in 2000.
Delbert was a life-long member of St. John Lutheran Church, rural Dieterich, and held various offices. He was Chairman of the Building Committee for the new Lutheran church built in 1983-1984, President of our 3 church Lutheran Laymen League (LLL) club, President of Zone LLL and their district Board as part of the development and expansion and participated in church workshops throughout Central Illinois District. First District director of newly established Farm Bureau Young People and then served on their State Board. Served 2 different terms on the University of Illinois Extension Council and started and was co leader of Lucas & Bishop (L & B) Ag Stars 4-H Club for 15 years, one of the founders and first treasurer of Effingham County Pork Producers. Served on the Dieterich Community school board for 10 years, PTO President 1 year, Vice President on the Wabash Valley School Board Association. He was Treasurer of the unsuccessful National Trail Junior College steering committee, also Advisory Boards for Lake Land College, Advisory Board for St. Anthony Memorial Hospital, Norris Electric Board for 23 years - President 10 years, Association of Illinois Electric State Board and served as Chairman of the board for 2 years one of the founders and first Secretary (third President) of Dieterich Community Ruritan Club, one of the founders and first President of Dieterich Community Development Corporation (DCDC), founder along with his wife Jeri and first president of Greater Effingham Alliance for the Mentally Ill, served and was President 2 years on Illinois Alliance for the Mentally Ill, served on Governor Thompson’s commission to revise the Mental Health Code, served on the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod committee for mental illness, served on the Effingham County Mental Health 708 Board and on CEFS Community Opportunities Board, served on a 5 member Planning Committee for the Dieterich Community Veterans Memorial.
Founder and first President of EJ Water (Incorporated May 1989) also known as “Father” of EJ Water, director from 1989 – 2011. While helping to develop EJ Water, Delbert developed steering committees in each of six townships surrounding Dieterich – then nine directors - worked closely with USDA Rural development. President of Eastgate Regional Water Corporation, was original member of Holland Water Group,
Delbert was named outstanding young farmer in 1960; Effingham County Conservation Farm Family of the Year 1970; Doing it Wright in Dieterich 1994; BESI Award in 1995; Illinois Co-op Director of the Year from AIEC 1993; Citizen of the Year award presented by the Effingham Daily News in 2003. He received the ACES Alumni Association Award by the University of Illinois College of Agricultural in 2004.
Delbert is survived by his children, Brenda Mundt of Effingham, Kevin Mundt (Dave Thomas) of California, Jae Mundt of Colorado, Donna Mundt of Dieterich and Sharon (Dan) Harn of Alabama; sisters Lorene Thoele of Teutopolis and Irma Horn of Dieterich. Also sisters-in-law, Natalie Mellendorf of Wisconsin, Verda Mellendorf of Louisville, Bonnie Mellendorf of Dieterich, Audrey Garbe of Effingham, and many cherished nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
Those preceded him in death are his wife Jeri (Geraldine), son Bruce in 1990, parents, sister Verda Mae (Krabbe) Schottman and cousin Lowell Miller.
To simply state Dad was active with his family, church and community would have been sufficient. However, Dad asked that we include his activities as it was his hope that others would be inspired to be active in their communities through God’s wisdom and knowledge. Our Dad loved knowing you and being in community with you all.