Robert Charles “Bob” Hummel, 92, died at 11:35 a.m. on Sept. 8, 2014, in his home on Ehrhardt Road. Robert was born Feb. 26, 1922, in Ellington Township, the oldest son of Edward and Dorothy (Brink) Hummel. On Sept. 24, 1946, Robert married Rita M. Dietrich at St. Anthony Catholic Church. She died March 7, 1993.

Bob graduated from St. Michael’s School on Columbus Road. He worked on the family farm and at the Electric Wheel Company before entering the service. After returning home Bob and Rita were married and farmed in the Payson area.

During World War II, Bob proudly served his country in the Army from 1942 – 1946 attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He participated in the battle of Okinawa in the Pacific Theatre. Bob felt privileged to take part in the Honor Flight Mission #7 to Washington, D.C. on June 24, 2011. He was a former commander of the VFW Post #2061 of Payson.

He was an active member of St. Anthony Catholic Church. Bob served in many leading roles in the parish, including trustee, chairman of the cemetery board, and picnic chairman. He was a charter member of the Adams County Retarded Citizens group, on the Production Credit Association board, and served on many local boards of the United States Department of Agriculture. Bob was proud that he was one of the pioneers of farm conservation practices. He served on the Adams County Soil & Water Conservation board for many years. He constructed a spring-fed lake on his farm for family recreation and to raise rainbow trout.

In 1989, Rita and Bob established the family business of selling spring water to a bottling plant. His family continues to operate this business today.

In later years, Bob enjoyed attending the various activities of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His family was of foremost importance to him, and he and his youngest son Roger took pride in living on the farm and taking care of it together. Bob taught many of his grandchildren how to play cards and had a great time playing cards with them at family gatherings.

Robert is survived by eight children: Thomas (Alice) Hummel of Quincy, their children , Brian (Nikki) Hummel of Florida, Brian’s children, Jonah and Lydia, Brad (Katie) Hummel of Quincy, Brad’s children, Zoey and William, and Brent (Terri) Hummel of Arkansas; James (Jackie) Hummel of Liberty, their children, John of Quincy and Jason of Liberty, Jason’s children Dakota, Dallas, and Deanna; Doris “Dee” (Dennis) Norton of Quincy, their child Lisa of Quincy; Dennis (Patricia) Hummel, of Liberty, their children Tony (Kelley) Hummel of Quincy, Tony’s children Bryer and Isabella, Curtis (Lynn) Hummel of Payson, Curtis’s children, Chloie and Natalie; Michael (Kay) Hummel of Payson, their children Chad (Camissa) Hummel of Quincy, Chad’s children Ella and Lauren, Shelley (Kurt) Flesner of Plainville, Shelley’s children Garrett and Gavin, and Kaleena (Logan) Gentry of Payson; Charles (Eva) Hummel of Dallas, TX, their children Adrian (Kayla) Hummel of Dallas, TX, and Evan Hummel of Dallas, TX; Cynthia (Dennis) Huber of Plainville, their children, Melissa of Liberty and Grant of Plainville; and Roger Hummel of Liberty. Bob is also survived by one brother, Gerald Hummel, and two sisters, Margaret Wolf and Clara (Mike) O’Brien. In-Laws, nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his wife, Bob was preceded in death by his parents, one sister in infancy, and a brother Carl Hummel.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 12, 2014 9:15 a.m. at Duker & Haugh with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Interment will be at St. Anthony Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Duker & Haugh, there will be a parish prayer service at 3:30 p.m. Military honors will be conducted graveside by the Payson V.F.W. Post and the Illinois National Guard Funeral Honors Detail. Memorials are suggested to: St. Anthony Cemetery Fund, Arc of Adams County’s Christmas Project or to the Charity of the Donor’s Choice.