Edwin D Wernsing

Edwin Dean Wernsing, 79, of Litchfield, Illinois, died on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.

“Big Ed” was born October 24, 1945, in Litchfield to Burrell and Melvina (Steinmann) Wernsing. He attended Zion Lutheran School and graduated from LHS in 1963. He attended the University of Illinois in Champaign and later worked at Fiat-Allis. He joined his father in business at the Wernsing Appliance store, which has been in “Beautiful Downtown Litchfield” for 66 years. He was involved in the Litchfield community, serving in Jaycees &  Rotary Clubs, played Santa, announced the Old Settlers Parade & Veiled Non-Profit Ceremony. He had been a member of Litchfield Planning Commission since 1984, Litchfield's Citizen of the Year in 2008, and the Veiled Non-Profit in 2022. He was also a member of Brand Source Buying Group since 1992. He served on many professional boards and was named Dealer of the Year in 2005. As a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, he served on various boards and as an usher.         

Above all else, Ed was a St. Louis Blues Hockey fan; he had attended games since 1968. He enjoyed seeing the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019, and bring it down Market St.

On May 25, 1974, he married the former Patricia A. Beeler in Litchfield; she survives.

In addition to his wife, Ed is survived by

1 son, Douglas (Michelle, nee Leefers) Wernsing of Litchfield

2 grandsons; Landon Paul & Carter Dean Wernsing of Litchfield  

1 brother, Darrel (Karen) Wernsing of Mt. Pulaski 

Several nieces, nephews & cousins; including Judy Wernsing, Jennifer Wernsing, Elizabeth Wernsing, Katherine Yaple, Jonathon Wernsing, Nelson Wernsing, Dale Garard, Roy Steinmann, Jim Walch & Don Walch

Several great & great-great nephews

Brothers-in-law; Jim (Carol) Beeler, Bill (Sue) Beeler, Paul (Marsha) Beeler, & Dan (Cindy) Beeler

Sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Larry) Boston, Linda (Russ) Poggenpohl, & Sara (Grant Hoffman) Pennock.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Ralph & Lucille Beeler, and his beloved daughter, Alexis, who passed in 2015.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Rev. Fred Kraemer will officiate. Visitation will from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, May 18, at the church. Donations may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, or to the Alexis Wernsing Innovation Memorial at the U of I.

Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

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