THELBERT GLEN AUSMUS

Mr. Thelbert Glen Ausmus, 85, of Sterling, Illinois, formerly of rural Adams County, died at 3:56 a.m. Thursday (May 28, 2009) at the Freeport Memorial Hospital in Freeport, Illinois.

Born January 21, 1924 in McKee Township "Spring Valley" Adams County, Illinois, Mr. Ausmus was the son of William George and Della Gertrude Hunter Ausmus. He married Rose Mary Beckman on October 13, 1946 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Quincy by the Rev. E. J. Otto.

Mr. Ausmus enjoyed gardening, harness racing, collecting antiques, horseshoe pitching, playing checkers with his friends and family and talking on his C.B. Radio.

Mr. Ausmus was a farmer in Adams County until 1950 when he moved to Sterling, Illinois to spend the next 32 1/2 years at Northwestern Steel and Wire Company until his retirement in 1982. Following his retirement, Mr. Ausmus was the caretaker for Camp Woodlow, employed by Green Hills Council of Girl Scouts.

Survivors include a daughter, Alice Mary Ausmus of Sterling, IL; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Mr. Ausmus was preceded in death his parents; his wife, Rose Mary; two brothers, Russell Odell Ausmus and Harry Wilmet Ausmus; two sisters, Ruby Fern Gieker and Erma Doll Amen-Connolly; and two very dear friends, Varick Warr and Robert Arno.

A celebration of life and sharing of memories for Mr. Ausmus will be held Monday morning at 10:30 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home with Donald Brown officiating. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday evening from 4:00 to 6:00 and Monday morning until the time of services at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Thelbert Glen Ausmus Memorial Fund.