Delbert D. Haschemeyer

Delbert (Del) D. Haschemeyer passed away at 7:00pm on January 23, 2023 at home in Athens, IL.
Del was born August 25, 1941, in Quincy, IL, the son of Ernest and Mary Haschemeyer of La Prairie, Illinois. He grew up on the family farm which led to a lifelong interest in farming and the environment.

Del met Sue Nusbaum while attending Western Illinois University.  They married in August 1965 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Springfield, Illinois.   Sue was the love of Del’s life and they enjoyed 56 years of marriage and were blessed with 5 sons, David, Mike, Mark, Brian and Roger.

Del graduated from Central High School in Camp Point, Illinois, and Western Illinois University.   After WIU, he was employed as a field representative for the local Farm Service coop (F.S.) in Williamsburg, Iowa for three years. He left F.S. to attend Law School at Valparaiso University, and with the help of his wife graduated in 1969.

Del started his legal career with the Heyl Royster law firm in Peoria.  After a couple years with the firm, he left to join a new state agency, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). Over the course of 23 years with the IEPA, he served as a Staff Attorney, Assistant to the Director, Manager of Enforcement Programs, Deputy Director for 13 years, acting Director, and Small Business Ombudsman.  He also served as an assistant Attorney General with the Environmental Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office for seven years and was a member of the Stratton Law firm for five years.  Del was proud and appreciative of his time working with the talented and dedicated people at the IEPA and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

Del served on the Board of Directors for the Athens Community Park, the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Athens, IL and the Lutheran High School in Springfield, IL.  He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Springfield and served in several capacities with Immanuel and with Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.   With his wife, Del served as a volunteer usher for the Center for Performing Arts at University of Illinois, Springfield.  He was also a member of the Athens Lion Club and several environmental organizations.

For many years, Del enjoyed coaching his sons in youth baseball and participating with them in scouts. He was a loyal Cardinal fan in a household of Cub fans (his wife’s influence). He enjoyed trying to negotiate an annual Cardinal-Cub bet with his sons, which was challenging because the Cubs show up every hundred years or so and the boys grew wiser as the years passed.

Del enjoyed playing baseball and softball in his younger years and later golf mostly at Country Hills.  He also enjoyed traveling, music, live theater, fishing, conversation with friends over a cup of coffee, or a cold one, candid, creative and entertaining conversations with children, gardening, feeding and watching the birds, and reading. He particularly enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in various sporting and other events and was especially proud of their accomplishments.

Del was preceded in death by his son Roger, parents Ernest and Mary of Golden IL, sister Nancy Wells, sister-in-law Sally Haschemeyer, and brother-in-law Robert Deacon.

He is survived by his wife Sue and four of their sons; David of Oak Park IL., Mike (Kaycee) of Collinsville IL., Brian (Holly) of Athens, IL., Mark (Carrie) of Lewes DE., Patty (Roger’s wife) of Council Bluffs, IA., and grandchildren; Madison, Kyle, Hailey, Emily and Eli.
Del is survived by four siblings; Sharon Deacon, Peggy (Gary) McConkey, Wayne Haschemeyer, Sheila (Randy Wilt), and his deceased sister (Nancy)’s husband Gary (Bev) Wells.  He is also survived by Sue’s family; her brother Kurt (Debbie) Nusbaum, and her three sisters:  Randa (Gary) Copeland, Donna Aschenbrenner and Peggy Nusbaum. In addition, he is survived by one Aunt, Dorothy Ufkes and one Uncle, Louis Reuschel, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM ending with a Lions Memorial Service at Mott and Henning Funeral Home in Athens, IL on Friday, February 3, 2023. An additional visitation will be held at 11:30 AM, for an hour and a half before funeral service starting at 1:00 PM  on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Springfield, IL.

For those who are unable to attend, you may virtually attend at https://www.facebook.com/oursaviorsschool.

Memorial suggestions:  Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Springfield, Il or the Athens, Ill. Lion’s Club, the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for providing books for children or a charity of your choice.

Mott & Henning Funeral Home is assisting the family. On-line condolences can be shared at www.mottandhenning.com.