Ferdinand J. "Ferd" McCormick (75) of Stewardson

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Published on October 23 2023 7:54 am

Ferdinand J. “Ferd” McCormick, 75, of Stewardson, IL, passed away at 12:10 p.m. Friday, October 20, 2023 in his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Strasburg, IL, with Rev. Kene Whybrew officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 23, 2023 and from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, both in the church. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Strasburg, IL. Memorials may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Strasburg, IL or Arthur Legacy of Love Foundation, Arthur, IL. Arrangements are by Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Strasburg, IL.

Ferd was born on August 21, 1948 in Shumway, IL, the son of C.F. and Oma (Kessler) McCormick. He graduated from Stewardson-Strasburg High School in the Class of 1966 and then attended Spoon River Junior College. Ferd served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1968-1974. He married Arlene Marie Lenz on April 14, 1968. Ferd started work as a mechanic for Weber Implement in Teutopolis and then for Corley Implement in Sullivan, IL. In 1979, he opened his own business as McCormick Diesel Service in Stewardson, IL. Ferd enjoyed tractor pulling and was active in competitions for many years. He and his sons won many pulls on the state and national level. Ferd also enjoyed going jeeping with his friends known as the “Legends”. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Strasburg, Illinois Tractor Pulling Association, and Stewardson American Legion Wilbur Braughton Post #611.

Ferd is survived by his wife, Arlene; sons, Heath Ferdinand McCormick (Autumn) of Shumway, IL, and Nicholas John McCormick (Kelly) of Strasburg, IL; five grandchildren, Claire, Ross, Colby, Lorelei, and Max McCormick; sisters-in-law, Patsy Lenz of Strasburg, IL, Cathy Allen (David) of Arthur, IL, and Margaret Swank of Effingham, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Erwin and Joy Lenz; sister and brother-in-law, Jennie Lou and Paul Courson; and brothers-in-law, Larry Lenz and Bill Swank.

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