Harry Hummel

Harry J. Hummel, age 85, of West Chicago, WWII US Army Veteran, passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at his home.
He was born on August 31, 1925 in West Chicago, IL to Geo. Fred Jr. and Elizabeth Hummel. Harry was a 1943 graduate of West Chicago High School. He joined the Army in November of that year. His unit was the first unit to land directly in Normandy after D-Day. Harry was awarded the Purple Heart as a result of being injured during combat in France. He continued to serve in the Army as an Investigator in Austria. Upon return from Europe, Harry attended college and received a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. He went on to work for Motorola for 33 years during which time he was granted five patents and received a M.B.A. from Illinois Benedictine College. After retiring from Motorola in 1983, he moved to live on Lake DuBay in Wisconsin. He enjoyed a second career teaching Electronics at MidState Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids. Harry returned to his hometown of West Chicago in 2008.
During his many years in West Chicago, Harry was an active figure in the community. He was a lifetime member of St. Michael's United Church of Christ and a lifetime member of American Legion Post 300. He served as Post Commander in 1961 and led the annual Treasure Hunt, the Post's largest fund raiser, for 25 years. Harry was a member of District 33 School Board and was its president in 1968. He supported the town of West Chicago as a member of the Planning Commission. In his free time, Harry enjoyed golfing, bowling, boating, deer hunting, water skiing and snow skiing.
Harry is survived by two daughters; Kathy Hummel (Bill Birch) of West Chicago; Dawn (Dave) Lindberg of Pennsylvania and two step-children; Jeff (Pam) Wilkening and Michelle Wilkening; grandchildren; Melissa and Nathan Birch, Mark and Martha Lindberg, Jessica (Steve) Naylor, Sara (Will) Douglas, Logan and Becky Wilkening, and Jason and Jennifer Price; and seven great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Josephine Schumacher, first wife Velva (nee Schneider), second wife Dolores Wilkening, and granddaughter Heather Wilkening.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 30, 2011 from 2 to 8 pm at Norris-Walen-Segert Funeral Home, 132 Fremont St., West Chicago. He will lie in state on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 from 9:00 AM until time of service at 10:00 AM at St. Michael's United Church of Christ, 400 W. Washington St, West Chicago. Pastor Nancy Fraley officiating. Interment Glen Oak Cemetery in West Chicago.
Contributions can be made to St. Michael's United Church of Christ, 108 Sherman Street, West Chicago, IL 60185 and Monarch Hospice 3115 N. Wilke Rd Suite H Arlington Heights, IL 60004