Anthony "Tony" August Niebrugge (85) of Effingham

Anthony (Tony) August Niebrugge, 85, of Effingham, IL, passed away Thursday, April 7, 2022 in his home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 11, 2022 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 10, 2022 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

Tony was born to Anthony and Anna (Aulenbrock) Niebrugge on June 17, 1936 at their homestead in Green Creek. He married Barbara M. Singler on August 18, 1962 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Nokomis, IL. Faith and family were the center of his world.

Tony was a carpenter at heart using these skills in his first career at Niebrugge Lumber Company. He went on to purchase and rebuild Anthony Acres Resort. In his retirement, he blessed his loved ones with his talent of woodworking by helping with home remodels and making furniture (8 at a time). Throughout the years, he enjoyed a spirited game of pinochle with his siblings and children. He had a love for gardening and his garden continued to grow in size as family did. He enjoyed learning and challenging himself – whether it be growing a random seed, trying a new planting method, cooking a new recipe, or out fishing the boys. In his later years, he spent his time praying, enjoying family, reading, and embracing technology – YouTube, TikTok, SnapChat, Instagram, and Facebook. He loved keeping up with what was going on in the world and especially with his family and friends. Tony had a love for life. Everyone that knew him was aware of his sense of humor as he usually had a witty word of wisdom to share with them.

Tony is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Barb of Effingham; children, Doug (Kay) Niebrugge of Crestwood, KY, Ken (Diana) Niebrugge of Effingham, Angela (Kenny) Thies of Effingham, Tony Niebrugge of Effingham, Monica (Jason) Tucker of Oxford, IN, Sandra (Tony) Flach of Effingham, Jane (Graham) Wagner of Newton, and Nick (Amber) Niebrugge of Effingham; grandchildren, Luke, Abby, and Nathan Niebrugge, Jackie Niebrugge, Emma (Alex) Holkenbrink and Allison Niebrugge, Taylor (fiancé, Peyton Kiefer) Tucker and Justin Tucker, Will Flach, Alexa, Andrew, Morgan, and Mitchell Wagner, and Reagan and Lauren Niebrugge; great-grandchildren, Carter and Charlotte Holkenbrink; sister-in-law, Margaret Niebrugge; brother-in-law, Don Metsker; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his children, Brian and Leo; grandson, Austin Flach; his parents, and 7 brothers and 6 sisters. A great pinochle game has begun in Heaven.

Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Schools.

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