Published on September 5, 2026 8:35 am
Last Updated on September 8, 2026 6:26 am
George H. Mette (age 102) passed away with family by his side on Friday, September 4th, 2026 in Effingham.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday September 17, 2026 at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in St. Anthony Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00pm Wednesday at Bauer Funeral Home (Effingham); followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary and Fourth Degree Chalice service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorials to St Anthony Schools, Family Life Center, or Effingham County FISH.
George was born August 8, 1924, the son of John J Mette (died 1958) and Agnes P (Cremer) Mette (died 1978) in rural Dieterich (Bishop Creek). Two days later, he was Baptized into the Death and Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus the Christ. He married Bertha M. Kabbes on May 21, 1949 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Effingham. In later years, George was Bertha’s caregiver until her death in 2009. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom attended St Anthony Grade and High School. He was blessed with 60 years of marriage to his beloved Bertha.
Mette was a 1942 graduate of Teutopolis High School, and a WWII Navy Veteran stationed in the Philippines. After graduating Sparks Business School (Shelbyville, IL) in 1949, he joined Effingham Builders Supply, and upon the death of his father-in-law (Joseph W Kabbes) in 1955, George was co-owner with Raymond Kabbes for nearly four decades. Even in retirement, he continued to instill the values of integrity and service until his death.
In his church: George had been a lector, Eucharistic minister to the home-bound, funeral Mass server, RCIA sponsor; and a member of the adult choir. He had served on numerous parish fund raisers and capital campaigns; and twice served on the parish council (once as president) and was also president of Effingham area Catholic Charities advisory board. In 2013, he received the Springfield Diocese Magnificat Award, and also was inducted into the St. Anthony School Hall of Fame. He volunteered for lunch and playground duty at St. Anthony Grade School and also was a “pen-pal” for second graders. He was an avid St. Anthony Bulldog sports fan, and past Booster Club Member of the Year.
In his community: he was a Honorary Life member of Effingham Knights of Columbus Council #665 and a Fourth Degree member of Effingham Assembly #214; a member of American Legion Post #120 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1769. Mette served on the Effingham County Board in the late 1970’s. He enjoyed volunteering as a KofC bingo caller, a Cross at the Crossroadsgreeter, a FISH Human Services driver, a Cub Scout Pack-Master and Boy Scout Troop committee chair. He served at polling precincts on Election days and made numerous January bus trips to the Right to Life March in Washington, D.C.
In his profession: George had been associated with Effingham Builders Supply since 1949. He served as the Board of Directors President of regional Lumber Buying Co-Op. Mette also served on the Illinois Lumber and Material Dealers Association as President and National Director, and was their 1995 Lumberman of the Year.
He is survived by his children John (Chris) of Teutopolis, Bob (Stacy) of Effingham, Bill (Carmel) of Effingham, Dick (Pauline) of Teutopolis, Maria(Mike) Klitzing of Altamont, and Martha of St. Louis; also 19 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents (John & Agnes), wife (Bertha), one son (James) and one grandchild (Elizabeth); and by all of his siblings: Robert, Herman, Marie, Anna, Albert, Elsie and their spouses (siblings Ambrose and Catherine both died in infancy).