Col. Earl E. Rumbaugh, Jr.

Danville- Colonel Earl Edward Rumbaugh, Jr. passed away on July 3, 2023 at 94 years of age. The lifelong Danville resident was born on December 22, 1928 to Earl Edward and Cornelia Payne Rumbaugh. He attended Garfield School and graduated from Danville High School with the Class of 1946. He furthered his education at Loyola University of New Orleans and then at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., thus beginning his career as an Army officer. He served in the Korean War, the Berlin Crisis, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and did two tours of duty in Vietnam. The decorated Army veteran received numerous awards throughout his 32 year-long career, including three Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Col. Rumbaugh was very active in his community serving not only as a police officer for the city between 1954-59 but also on the Danville Traffic Commission, the Chamber of Commerce Safety Committee, the Center for Childrens Services for 6 years, the Vermilion County Merit Commission between 1994-2020, and the YMCA Board for 6 years as well. He was a member of the Association of the United States Army, the Military Officers Association of America, the American Legion Post 210, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Knights of Columbus, the Elks Lodge #232, the Danville Boat Club, the Danville Country Club, and the Corvette Cruisers. He even hosted "Cooking with the Colonial" on the WDAN show from 1990-96 and was inducted to the Wall of Honor at Kenneth D. Bailey Academy.

Col. Rumbaugh was preceded in death by his parents, wives AnnaMarie Freeman and Wilma Minor, and his siblings Glenn Covert, Anna Jane Catlett, Marigene Hutton, and Marjorie Carter. He is survived by his companion of 23 years Karen Wodetzki; nephews James M. Covert and Newel Young, Jr. and his wife Paulette Guiliani Young; niece Cathy Carter Thomason; stepdaughters Deborah Amata, Denise Amata, and Diana Browning.

A visitation will be held on Wed., July 12, 2023 from 5-7:00 pm at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, located at 3940 N. Vermilion Street in Danville. A Funeral Mass will take place the following morning on Thurs., July 13, 2023 at 10:30 am at St. Pauls Catholic Church, located at 1303 N. Walnut Street, in Danville. Col. Rumbaugh will be laid to rest with full military honors following the Funeral Mass at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville. Memorial donations may be made in his honor to St. Pauls Catholic Church or the War Museum. Online condolences and fond memories can be shared on his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com