Ronald Ellsworth Gumm

Born Aug. 17, 1935, Ron was ushered into this world by his parents Ruth and Elly Gumm of Seneca. He married Patsy Carol Fowler, and they were blessed with four children.

He learned his trade at Wagners. He was a tool and die maker for 40 years, and he worked as a supervisor at LaSalle Station in Seneca.

Ron proudly served as an MP in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean War.

He was a member of the Sullivan American Legion Post #68, the BPO Elks 401 of Decatur and the Decatur Moose. He was an avid sports fan and liked playing poker.

Ronald leaves to cherish his memory his son, Dean Gumm, and wife Cheri of Seneca; daughters, Ronda Read, and husband Rick of Sullivan, Ill., Carol Reeves of Cowden, Ill., and Evelyn Allen, and husband Rex of Herrick, Ill.; sister, Dee Rooks, and husband Bruce of Seneca; brother, Tom Gumm, and wife Sue of Morris; brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Doty of Benton, Ky.; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; his fiancé, Barbara Taylor, and her daughter, René Schmidt, whom he was proud to call his special nurse, and her fiancé Mike and his children.

He had a special place in his heart for trips in which he took to see Barb’s sons, Jim Taylor of Nunda, New York, and Bob Taylor of Perry, Fla., and her brother Bob Nell of Red Oak, Texas. He leaves two very special friends Larry Lourash and “Paycheck.”

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; wife Patsy Gumm; and one great-grandchild, Heaven Leigh Hope Lucas.

Per Ron’s wishes, cremation services will be provided by Graceland/Fairlawn Crematory.

Memorial Services will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank Decatur Memorial Hospital staff on 4100, 5100, Intermediate Care, the Cath Lab and Interventional Radiology, Cancer Care Nurses, Dr. Velasco, Dr. DiLorenzo and Dr. G. Patel for care during Ron’s illness.