Clement A. "Clem" Ludwig (91) of Sigel
Published on April 21 2024 7:23 pm
Clement A. “Clem” Ludwig, 91 of Sigel, passed away Saturday, April 20, 2024 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, April 27, 2024 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Sigel with burial in St. Michael Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be held at the church from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday. Memorial donations may be given to St. Michael School. Arrangements are in the care of Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham.
Clem was born May 31, 1932 in Sigel, the son of William and Marguerite (Hofman) Ludwig. He went to St. Michael’s School through his junior year and then graduated from Teutopolis High School in 1950. Clem then enlisted in the National Guard and was activated in the Korean War. After his service, he worked his way through college doing many different jobs in Chicago and graduated from Devry University in 1956 with a degree in electronics. His first job as an electrician was Lockheed in Northern California.
He met and married the love of his life, Carole R. Hummel, on October 26, 1957 and together they had nine children. He worked as a maintenance electrician at several companies including Dolly Madison which his kids loved because he would bring home treats in his lunch box for them. In the early years, Clem and Carole would travel cross country with the kids in a camper visiting family and stopping at many sites along the way. In 1973, he moved the family back to Sigel, built a home, and rejoined St. Michael’s Parish where he was a devoted member for the rest of his life. He was active in the Sigel Knights of Columbus and the Sigel American Legion. Clem and Carole continued traveling, visiting their children, grandchildren and seeing new places. He retired at 65 from World Color Press - Salem Gravure. Through his involvement in De Colores, he impacted many lives through his profound love of God and the Catholic Church.
Clem is survived by his children, Joseph Ludwig of Margate, FL, Mary Henson of Iuka, Rita Reyes of Media, PA, Susan (Philip) Zakutansky of Effingham, Jane (Steve) Shannon of Port Orange, FL, Steven (Lori) Ludwig of Sigel, Margaret (Kevin) Leitzinger of Oakdale, CT, Richard (Linda) Ludwig of Wheeler and Karen (Ed) Welch of Norwich, CT; 21 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; brother, James Ludwig of Sigel; sister, Julia Murphy of North Little Rock, AR.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sons-in-law, Christian Reyes and Dennis Henson; daughter-in-law, Cathy Ludwig; brothers, Carl, Louis, Paul, Richard, Philip, and Michael; sisters, Nonna and Mary Lu.