Gerald Niccum (75) of Effingham

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Published on September 28 2020 8:56 am

Gerald “Jerry” Niccum, 75, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 2, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Effingham, IL. Entombment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Effingham with military rites and a Firefighter’s Last Call. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. Firefighters Walk-Through Thursday, October 1, 2020 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

Due to Covid-19 concerns, please wear a mask for all services and follow all social distancing guidelines.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Food Pantry and Effingham Retired Volunteer Firefighters Association. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here

Gerald was born on January 25, 1945, in Effingham, IL, the son of Louis and Opal (Peters) Niccum. He married Matilda Roellig on December 16, 1966 and she survives.

Gerald was a veteran of the United States Navy (1963-1967). He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Effingham, holding various offices in the church as a trustee, Sunday School Superintendent, and Food Pantry Coordinator. He was also a member of the Effingham Sportsman’s Club, American Legion Post 120, Effingham Retired Firefighters Association, and Effingham County Farm Bureau. But most loved was his family. Gerald worked for the City of Effingham Fire Department for 32 years, retiring in 2004 as Assistant Fire Chief. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, skeet shooter, fisherman, and hunter.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Matilda Niccum of Effingham; son, Michael (wife, Robbie) Niccum of St. Charles, MO; daughters, Maleah (husband, Kevin) Kaiser of Charleston, IL and Jill (husband, Josh) Beck of Wesley Chapel, FL; grandchildren, Chase Gillmore, Sophia (husband, Alex) Knoppe, Alexandria (husband, Nicholas) Guiffrida, Paige Gillmore, Samantha Niccum, Aiden Beck, Amelia Niccum, Courtney Beck, Zachary Niccum, and Siler Niccum; step-grandson, Matthew Kaiser; step-granddaughter, Rachel Kaiser; great-grandchildren, Kiley Niccum, Parker Knoppe, and Josie Knoppe; sisters, Opal (Hal) Campbell of Decatur, IL, twin sister Joyce (Tony) Cordero of Idaho Falls ID, and Alice (Sam) Walker of Mableton, GA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Wayne, Harry, Donald, Delbert, Eddie, Robert and twins in infancy, Elvin and Louis; and sisters, Leona Niccum, Mary Davis and Iva Sparks.