Jerome W. Pruemer, 82, of Effingham, went to eternal rest at 4:22 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2012. He was surrounded by his loving family at his home at the time of his passing.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Effingham. Burial, with military graveside rites, will follow in St. Anthony Cemetery, Effingham. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bauer Funeral Home, Effingham, with a 6:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus rosary. Memorials may be made to American Lung Association. Online condolences may be left at www.bauerfh.com.

Jerome was born July 16, 1929, in Effingham, the son of Bernard A. and Florence (Brummer) Pruemer. He married Marilyn D. Baker on July 17, 1954. She survives.

After high school, he served an enlistment with the U.S. Army. He first worked as a Star Route mail carrier and later worked at Crossroads Press in Effingham for nearly 20 years. He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Effingham, a 50-year member of Knights of Columbus Council 665, Effingham, and a 60-year member of American Legion Post 120, Effingham.

He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed collecting and hulling walnuts to share and also sell at the Farmer's Market. Jerome's humor and kindness touched everyone he met and he will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife of more than 57 years, Marilyn; son, Dennis (friend, Pat Allen) of Effingham; daughter, Julie Pruemer (friend, Mark Pike) of Effingham; four grandchildren, Darren Pruemer of New Orleans, Amanda Pruemer, Kelley Pruemer and Jennifer Pruemer, all of Effingham; one great-grandchild, Lorelai Wilson; two brothers, Thomas (Diana) Pruemer of Vienna and Eric (Carolyn) Pruemer of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; and two sisters, Jeanette (Clarence) Unkraut of Effingham and Patricia (Mark) Hartmann of Arlington heights.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mary Ann; and stepmother, Dorothy Meinhart Pruemer.