John Mumma

PHILO — John Mumma, 67, of Philo passed away Wednesday (Feb. 13, 2019) in Seymour, Ind.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, at Franks Center, 127 Washington St., Philo, with the Rev. Jeff Stahl officiating. Burial will be in Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo. There will be an informal celebration of life at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at Misty and Jeremy’s house, 1170 County Road 1900 East, Sidney. Freese Funeral Home, Sidney, is assisting with arrangements.

John was born Oct. 30, 1951, in Champaign. He married Brenda Dallas on Jan. 17, 1976, in Tuscola. She survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Misty (Jeremy) Nelson of Sidney, Robin (Cory) Duitsman of Philo and Kristin Stratton of Philo; seven grandchildren, Kayla Nelson, Bradey Duitsman, Chloey Duitsman, Tanner Nelson, Kinzey Duitsman, Michelle Stratton and Faith Stratton; father and mother-in-law, Jim and Helen Dallas; a cousin, Bob Stahl; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was a lifelong farmer in the Philo and Sidney area. He worked with the Philo Fire Department, was a Philo village trustee, president of the Philo Park Board and Bill Huss Chapel Cemetery, on the Locust Grove Cemetery board and a member of the Unity Alumni Athletic Association (UAAA). He was also on the Illinois Tractor Pulling Association Board before becoming vice president. He was also a flagman and a tech official for the ITPA. He served on the U.S. Association of Pullers Board. He became a competing member of the ITPA and USAP in 2009. He was a two-time Pro Pulling League Champion and multitime ITPA Champion.

He enjoyed wintering in Florida near Fort Myers Beach. He coached his daughters in softball. He loved his grandchildren and going to their sporting events.

He enjoyed the St. Louis Cardinals, Illini Sports, Unity Rockets and NASCAR. He loved truck and tractor pulling and drag racing.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Mills Breast Cancer Center or UAAA.

News-Gazette 2/19/2019