Robert Stephen "Bob" Ludwig, 76 of Effingham, passed away at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 10, 2015 in Naples, Florida.


A memorial mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, November 21, 2015 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service, Saturday at the St. Anthony Parish Center. Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Schools or Springfield Memorial Medical Transplant Services.


Mr. Ludwig was born January 21, 1939 in Effingham, the son of Leo and Josephine (Hartke) Ludwig. He graduated from St. Anthony High School in 1956 and Eastern Illinois University in 1960, where he was a dual-sport scholarship athlete (baseball and basketball). Bob was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959, but chose to continue his education.


Bob married Judy Medlin on June 13, 1959 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham and she survives. They are the parents of Michael Ludwig of Effingham, Lynda Ludwig of Scottsdale, AZ and Nancy (Jeff) Bloemker of Effingham. Their grandchildren include Katie Bloemker, Sarah Bloemker, Jack Bloemker, Alexandra Ludwig and Jack Ludwig.


Bob worked for State Farm Insurance immediately after college and was soon thereafter asked to join his brother, Lloyd, in the family business. Bob was a proud co-owner of Ludwig Lumber in downtown Effingham for 52 years, the last 10 in partnership with his son, Mike.


Bob was an avid member of the Effingham Country Club for 52 years, the Knights of Columbus, the Illinois Lumbermen's Association, the Eastern Illinois University Alumni Association, and the Good Neighbors of Lake Sara.


Mr. Ludwig is survived by his wife; children; grandchildren; brothers, Kenny (Jeanne) Ludwig of Naples, FL, Lloyd (Mary) Ludwig and Jerry (Diane) Ludwig, both of Effingham and Leo (Jennifer) Ludwig of Springfield; sisters, Ruth Ann Roach of Sherman and Norma (Ed) Grunloh of Milwaukee, WI.


He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Joe and Mildred Medlin; sister-in-law, JoAnn Mann; and brothers-in-law, Don Peterson and Ron Roach.