Harry Edward Mundwiler's Obituary
Decatur- Harry Edward Mundwiler, 95, of Decatur, IL, died on September 22, 2023, in Decatur, IL.
Services will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023, at 11:00AM at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service with burial following the service in Graceland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials be made to the Decatur Genealogical society.
I was born in Decatur, Il on June 29, 1928, the son of William Jennings “Bill” and LeElla Mundwiler. At
age 11, I was baptized on March 24, 1939, by Rev. William T. Nicols at the First Christian Church, 411
N. Church Street in Decatur. I was a member of the old YMCA from 1939/1970 when it was a brick
house at 151 West Prairie Street. I was a skate boy at Ragsdale’s Roller Rink, 480 East North Street for
$2.00 a week, then Pontiac Bowling Ally at 437 North Broadway; I set duck pin for 4 cents a game.
My favorite picture of myself was taken August 14, 1945, on “VE” Day when I was 17, on top of the
Transfer House roof with my leg up and holding an American Flag, waving at the photographer to get his
attention to take a picture. This picture can be found in several places: in the Muller Museum, in the
Macon County Historical Museum on North Fork Road, the Decatur Genealogical Society Library, in
Decatur Public Library in the local history room in storage, a plaque with other pictures which is outside
by the west door of the Transfer House, in archives of the Herald and Review, Decatur, IL. Also, in the A
Pictorial History Through 1950, and several pictorial history books of old Decatur.
I joined the Army on September 14, 1948, and was a 6 year and 15 days Army Veteran. I was in Korea
during the war from February 11, 1952, to March 3, 1953. I was the first white man in a n all-black
company of QM Salvage Company located Chuncheon, Korea. The fellows in my company thought I was
a special investigator. I reached Corporal status on May 10, 1954, at Fort Hood near Killeen, Texas. 46th
Engineer Battalion Company A. There were so many cpls, we all did KP.
As a proud veteran, I am the son of a World War I veteran; and my brother, uncle, and brother-in-law
served in World War II. I purchased 5 bricks for my relatives with our names and military information,
which are located at the veterans “Freedom Walk” on the northeast corner of the Macon County
Courthouse lawn. I also purchased two eight-inch bricks that are at the WWII Memorial by the Civic
Center for my brother and uncle, as well as purchased four American flags through Graceland Cemetery,
which will be flown on all Memorial Days for my dad, brother, uncle and me.
I started working at the city water department on June 1, 1955, as a meter service man. I was on the
service truck for 14 years, 6 months, and 16 days. I turned the water off and on for repairs and when
people were moving in and out. I was on call 24 hours a day for emergencies. I also read when the other
water meters were behind. My last job was as a building and ground custodian,
and filling in for the operator when he was gone. I retired from the City of Decatur Water Department on
December 21, 1988, after 33 years, 6 months, 20 days of service.
I was interested in photography. My dad even made a dark room for me. I started working on November
1, 1954. I did a lot of photography jobs and later gave it up; a long story. My dad and I were in the
Decatur Photography Club and won several awards in newspaper and magazine contests. May 16, 1971, I
sold all of my dark room equipment and my 4x5 Linhoff camera with 4 lenses, and many camera
accessories. June 18, 1980, Mother and I joined the Decatur Genealogical Society for the life
membership, where I left genealogy, my journal, and health journal. Also, I had my DNA done in 2006.
1970, my mother and I joined the Family Motor Coaching Association (FMCA); my registration number
3545. My dad, mother, and I went to lots of rallies and was a member for over 12 years. Also, I was an
avid member of the Winnebago Club since 1970 as a charter member. The WIT number was 143, later the
number changed to 000143 because of the computer age. I took my parents on many Winnebago rallies. I
have lived in my motor home and pulled a car since 1989, which would be a total of 28 years traveling
and spending my winters in Arizona and other places. I have been to 42 Grand National Rallies in Forest
City, Iowa. I was an avid ballroom dancer, but the little hole in my heart valve is bigger now, and I get
exhausted so easily; that ended my dancing for now. Born single, stayed single; why make one woman
miserable when I have all these widows, divorcees and single woman to dance with. I was a member of
the Loners on Wheels Singles Club starting in May of 1991 for 26 years. I attended a lot of rallies and am
a paid up, still non-active member. Also, I joined the Winnebago Singles Club. For many years, I have
been voted an honorary life member of the Winnebago Itasca Travel Singles Club.
My relatives knew I was at Paul’s at 999 N. Water Street early in the mornings for coffee and to call or
come in if there was an emergency. After 67 years, I stopped going to Paul’s on September 25, 2012.
Up to September 10, 2015, I did all my own grease jobs, changing of oil, and filters on my motor home. I
had to stop earlier doing the same on my car, when I was 87 years old, too old and weak to do my own
work.
April 13, 2017, I sold my motor home back to Lichtsinn RV Sales in Forest City, Iowa, where I bought it.
From there, a driver came and gave me a check for it and drove it away. I waved goodbye with no regrets.
In review, I had four new trailers and turned over two; also, I had owned 6 new Winnebago motorhomes.
The saying is, I hung up my keys of RVing of 62 plus years. I moved into my new home at Randall
Residence of Decatur for senior living at 1455 W. Mound Rd. All on the same day as selling my RV. The
saying is, I turned the page in my life to a new chapter. I cannot believe 28 years living in my motor home
is was all over in the blink of an eye; that is so sad.
Surviving are my nephews, Larry E Mundwiler and Gary Wiley, all of Decatur; nieces, Nancy L. Kelly of
Oakley, IL, Diane K. (Thomas A.) Schaub of Decatur Il and Karen J. (Michael) Hoyt of Arizonia, greatnephews, great-nieces and many cousins, in-laws and best friend of the family, Sonja Songer.
My parents, big brother, William Junior “Bill” Mundwiler, sister, Wilma L. Wiley, two brothers-in-law,
sister-in-law preceded me in death.
What’s your fondest memory of Harry?
What’s a lesson you learned from Harry?
Share a story where Harry's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Harry you’ll never forget.
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