Lenard Ray Sturm Obituary (1928

Grayville resident Lenard R. Sturm, 86, died Monday, April 28, 2014, at West River Health Campus in Evansville, Indiana. He had resided there since suffering a serious stroke the summer of 2012. Lenard was born February 24, 1928, in Crossville, Illinois, the son of the late Lena and Edgar Sturm of White County, Illinois. Lenard was a graduate of Crossville Schools and St. Louis College of Mortuary Science. Lenard was a third generation local farmer and landowner who valued and took pride in his heritage and land. After college, he worked in the funeral home business for several years. In addition to farming, he worked for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Division for over 33 years, retiring as District Manager in 1999. With years of community service, Lenard volunteered his time and held leadership positions with the White County Farm Bureau, Grayville Methodist Church and Grayville Lions Club which included his support and fund raising for the expansion and maintenance of the Grayville Park. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Sheba Masonic Lodge and East St. Louis Ainad Shriners International. Lenard was an avid hunter and outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing. For many years, he officiated high school basketball games in the area. Lenard was married for 57 years to the late Georganna Fieber Sturm who preceded him in death in 2004. Survivors include his wife Joan Sturm of Carmi along with her family; brothers Bernard Sturm and Willard Sturm of Grayville along with nieces and a nephew. Lenard is also survived by his daughter Georgia Sturm Davis, son in law Tom Davis and granddaughter Carey Davis, all of Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grayville Lions Club, Grayville Methodist Church or the American Heart Association for stroke education and research at https://donate.heart.org. Visitation and funeral are Saturday, May 10, 2014, at the Grayville United Methodist Church in Grayville. Visitation is at 1pm and funeral is at 2 pm. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Grayville. Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville is in charge of all arrangements. Visitation: Grayville United Methodist Church, May 10, 2014 - 1pm Service: Grayville United Methodist Church, May 10, 2014 - 2pm