Obituary of Bob Wasmund

Robert (Bob) Harvey Wasmund was born in Fredonia, New York to Harvey and Ruth Wasmund on January 14, 1942 and passed from this world on January 26, 2021. He was 79 years old. He met Claudia Brickle of Coleta, IL as she sat perched on the handlebars of his good friend, Barry’s bicycle! After that they were inseparable, and the two married on September 10, 1960 in Sterling, Illinois. They celebrated 60 years of marriage just last year. Bob spent childhood days fishing with his brother and friends in the creeks of Fredonia, NY and has often entertained his daughters with stories of his other shenanigans as a youth. As a teen he was drawn to the plains of IL where he worked with his aunt and uncle in their strawberry business. It’s no surprise that Bob eventually became a strawberry farmer himself, raising five acres of berries that drew strawberry pickers by the hundreds. It was quite the scene on an early June morning when cars of earnest berry pickers jammed the streets of the little town of Coleta in hopes of picking those scrumptious red berries. After 31 years at Northwestern Steel and Wire, Bob retired and became an ardent collector of antiques; tractors, gas pumps, boat motors, buggy lanterns, levels, lights, and the list goes on. He would find a treasure and then painstakingly bring it back to life. In fact, Bob himself said, “I collect and refurbish souvenirs of the past.” That he did in a grand fashion! Bob kept his family in stitches with his crazy sense of humor like when he would answer the phone, “Who is this? State your business!” He adored his cats, Jigs, Blackie, and Apricot. He was a hard worker and cared for his belongings and Mother Earth respectfully. If you stopped by for a chat, you would find Bob working in the “Julie flowers”, helping his daughters with crafts, building shelters for the rabbits, watching baby wrens peak from the bird house, or just telling stories on the “hillbilly porch”. You could expect to see his latest rummage sale find that was now a refurbished souvenir or be enchanted by his hilarious tales. Life will never be the same for those who have loved him during this lifetime. Survivors include: his wife Claudia Wasmund, daughters Julie Woessner and Joanie (Kenyon) Whipple, Grandchildren: Kristin Whipple, Brock and Zachary Woessner, Great Grandson: Tucker Grant, Sisters: Dorthea and Kathleen Wasmund, Sister-In-Laws: Linda (Marie) Case, Melody (Mick) McKenna, Nieces and Nephews: Robin (Larry McDonnell) Churray, Anna Carr, Josh Case (Bonnie), Ty (Barb) McKenna, Todd McKenna (Jenn Bush), Suzanne (Neal) Syverson, John (Dawn) Wasmund, Gwen Rubright, and numerous great nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Harvey (Ruth Huber) Wasmund, one brother and sister-in-law, John (Carolyn) Wasmund, a son-in-law, Robert (Bob) Woessner, and his granddaughter, Jenna Whipple. A private graveside service will be held by the family to honor Bob’s life. There will be no visitation in an effort to keep others safe from this dreaded virus, Covid 19. In lieu of flowers and plants, the family asks that those wishing to honor Bob’s life contribute to his memorial. Gifts can be sent to Schilling Funeral Home at PO Box 592, Sterling, IL 61081 to be forwarded to the family.