Herman Cletus 'Babe' Humm
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Herman Cletus "Babe" Humm, 87, of Golconda, passed away Sunday Jan. 2, 2011, at Hardin County Hospital in Rosiclare.
Herman Cletus Humm was born Oct. 8, 1923, at Eichorn, the youngest of seven children of Frank W. Humm Sr. and Rena Koch Humm. Being the first delivery of Dr. Nicholas Herrmann, the doctor requested that he be named after him, Herman. He later received the nickname "Babe" from the local priest at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Father Rattermann. He was educated in the Hardin County school system.
In 1940, he entered into business with his sister, Lillian, and brother, Raymond, in Humm's General Merchandise at Eichorn.
He served his country in the United States Army. He was in the European Theater during World War II, receiving injuries in the Battle of the Bulge for which he received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal along with other medals. Upon returning from World War II, he and his brother Raymond purchased a tavern and restaurant in Golconda, formerly owned by Cody Langston, and operated as Babe's Tavern. In 1950, the tavern was sold and Babe worked for Townes Chevrolet and Oldsmobile in Golconda in the sales department.
On Oct. 19, 1955, Babe married Barbara Treece of Anna, who was business manager for Pearl Motor Company. The next month, Babe and Barbara purchased the Ford Dealership in Golconda and operated it as Babe Humm Ford Sales until 1969 when they moved to Clearwater, Fla. They operated their own real estate business in Clearwater. They spent their summers at their home in Eureka Springs, Ark. and later Franklin, N.C.
Babe and his uncle, Carl Koch, founded the Koch Foundation, a charitable Catholic foundation in 1979. Babe has served as vice president, secretary and treasurer since its founding.
In 1985, Cletus and Barbara were knighted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. This order is the highest Papal award that can be conferred on clergy and laity alike. They carry the titles of Sir Herman C. Humm and Lady Barbara T. Humm.
Survivors include three generations of nieces and nephews.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Elizabethtown.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Edward, Cyril, Joseph and Raymond; and two sisters, Albertean and Lillian.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday Jan. 5, 2011, at Aly Funeral Home, Golconda. Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. on Jan. 6, 2011, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Elizabethtown, with Father Steven Beatty officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Elizabethtown.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, rural route 1, Elizabethtown, Ill. 62931.