Wilmer E. Sturm, 92, of Buckley died at 7:20 a.m. Friday, July 21, 2017, at Paxton Healthcare and Rehab, Paxton.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at St. John's Lutheran Church – Ash Grove with Rev. Matthew Montgomery officiating. Burial will follow in the Ash Grove Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Buckley American Legion Byron A. Hickerson Post 432.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, at Baier Family Funeral Services, 306 E Lincoln Street, Buckley and at the church Wednesday one hour prior to the service.

Wilmer was born August 28, 1924 in Artesia Twp. the son of Walter and Helen Hoppman Sturm. He married Amanda Mathilda Brutlag on August 26, 1950 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Woodworth. She preceded him in death on March 28, 2010.

He is survived by three sons, Dave (Phyllis) Sturm of Hoopeston, Dennis (Theresa) Sturm of Buckley, Robert "Bo" (Teresa) Sturm of Paxton; 10 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; a son-in-law, Bill Willis of Loda; one brother, Ken Sturm of Bloomington and one sister, Evelyn (Willard) Rinnert of Colorado Springs, CO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife; a daughter, Marylou Willis and a sister, Bernice Bruns.

Wilmer grew up in the Ash Grove area. He served in the United States Navy 1945-47 as an aircraft mechanic and was stationed on the East Coast. He farmed the family farm, retired in 1994 and moved to Buckley.

He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church – Ash Grove, the church Men's Club and the church choir. He was also a member of the Buckley American Legion Byron A. Hickerson Post 432. Wilmer had a private pilot's license and loved flying. He enjoyed umpiring and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.

Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church – Ash Grove, Paxton Healthcare and Rehab or an organization of the donor's choice. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.