Geraldine ‘Jeri’ Lawanda (Mellendorf) Mundt (86) of rural Dieterich
Published on June 9 2019 6:03 am
Geraldine ‘Jeri’ Lawanda (Mellendorf) Mundt, 86, of rural Dieterich, Illinois, went to her heavenly home on June 7, 2019, at 9:58 PM at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.
Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 PM Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at St. John’s Lutheran Church 22775 East 700th Avenue Dieterich, Illinois, and also one hour before the funeral service. Funeral services celebrating the life of Jeri, will be held at 2:00 PM – Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, with Pastor Stephen Gillet officiating. Burial will be in the Dieterich Village Cemetery in Dieterich, Illinois. In loving memory of Jeri, memorials may be made to the Heartland Human Services Day Treatment and NAMI – Effingham or donor’s choice. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolence left by clicking here.
Jeri was born May 11, 1933, at the home of her parents Albert and Louise (Traub) Mellendorf in Lucas Township on the Effingham Clay County line. She married Delbert Mundt on March 8, 1953, at St John’s Lutheran Church rural Louisville.
She attended a one room grade school at St. John’s Lutheran Church rural Louisville and graduated from Effingham High School in 1951. Jeri attended St. Mary of the Woods College in Indiana.
Jeri was a fieldworker for GROW for 17 years. During that time, she helped expand the organization in central and southern Illinois. GROW is a 12-step program, similar to AA, that deals with emotional and mental issues. Also Jeri, along with Delbert, founded ‘NAMI’ National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of the Greater Effingham area.
She was a member of Effingham County Home Extension for 55 years. She was also an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church rural Dieterich, which Jeri enjoyed contributing to creating the 150th anniversary book. Jeri was a partner with her husband in running the family farm and had a passion for growing flowers.
Jeri is survived by her husband of 66 years, Delbert. Children are Brenda of Effingham, Kevin (Dave) Mundt of California, Jae of Colorado, Donna of Dieterich, and Sharon (Dan) Harn of Alabama. Also survived by sister-in-laws Natalie Mellendorf of Wisconsin, Verda Mellendorf of Louisville, Bonnie Mellendorf of Dieterich, Audrey Garbe of Effingham, Lorene Thoele of Teutopolis and Irma Horn of Dieterich. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
Jeri was preceded in death by her son Bruce, parents, brothers; Gene, Harlan, Leroy and Ardon Mellendorf, and sisters; Alberta Garbe and Violet Roberts.