Garry D. Buhrmann (72) of Edgewood

Garry D. Buhrmann, 72, of Edgewood, Illinois went to his forever home on Sunday, June 9, 2019.

Garry was born to Henry and Mildred (Allen) Buhrmann on January 27, 1947. He married Sue Wood in March 1986. Their blended family consisted of five children. They enjoyed 26 years of marriage before Sue’s passing in 2012.

Garry served his country in the United States Navy for 20 years. He was given numerous medals and awards during his years of service of which he was very proud. His body art was noticed by everyone who met him and he would tell anyone and everyone who asked that he had a total of 88 tattoos. He continued to support his country through his involvement in the local Veteran’s associations, particularly the American Legion in Edgewood.

After retiring from service to his country, Garry worked many jobs throughout his life. While he enjoyed all of them and the people he met and friendships he developed throughout the years, the work he enjoyed most was farming and farm service. He had a particular love for John Deere and had an assortment of John Deere collectibles.

His involvement in church in his later years was due to the change that he could see it had made in his wife’s and daughter’s lives and decided to give it a try himself. He became a most faithful and loving servant to the Lord and his church and was a dear and loved member of the Edgewood Full Gospel Church. His testimony told the story of how he put his cigarettes and alcohol addiction at the altar 18 years ago and never had a craving after. He and his loving wife Sue served their church faithfully and devoted many years of time and love at a church camp in West Virginia.

He is survived by Brothers: Charles (Sonia) Peters of Effingham; Henry (Joyce) Buhrmann of Edgewood; Kenneth (Darlene) Buhrmann of Louisville; Larry (Beulah) Buhrmann of Hutchinson, Kansas; Ebert (Laveeta) Goens of Mattoon.   Sisters: Glenda Blurton of Canton, Ohio; Shirley (Bobby) Ingram of Edgewood. Daughters: Connie Smith of Ivesdale; Becky Wiley (Lee Melton) of Flora; Sherri Wood of Edgewood; and Christina Wells (fiancé Timothy Kirkbride) of McKinney, Texas. Grandchildren: Amy (Terry) Meeks of Louisville; Audra (John) Grubaugh of Flora; Joe (Brittany) Smith of Rolling Meadows, Illinois; Kim Melton of Evansville, Indiana; Jessica (Mike) August of Tinley Park, Illinois; Joanna Franks and Randal Howard, both of McKinney, Texas; Melissa Buhrmann, Jason Buhrmann and LeeAnna Buhrmann, all of Greenville, Texas, and two fur babies Maggie and Kiki Dee; seven Great-grandchildren with two more on the way. Also surviving are numerous beloved nieces, nephews and their families.  

Garry was preceded in death by his wife Sue, his son Charles “Chuck” Buhrmann, son-in-law, Gary Smith, his parents, and two sisters Edith Liggett and Henrietta Sapp.

Visitors can call at the Edgewood Full Gospel Church on Saturday, June 15 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life service at 1:00 p.m. with military rites following the memorial. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that you pay tribute to Garry with donations to the Edgewood Full Gospel Church in his honor. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.