George Enoch Anselm, 82, of rural Taylorville died on Monday, March 11, 2019 at Life’s Journey in Taylorville after a long battle with dementia. He was born on December 19, 1936 to Enoch and Ruth (Spates) Anselm.
As a young child, George and his parents moved from Glen Ellyn to the family farm in rural Taylorville. He became the 4th generation of the Spates family to reside in Christian County. George’s father, Enoch Anselm, traveled to America from Sweden at the age of 4, making George the first generation on his father’s side to be born in the United States.
George attended Taylorville schools, graduating with the Taylorville High School class of 1954. He attended the University of Illinois at Champaign, obtaining a degree in agriculture and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity during his college years. He returned to the rural Taylorville area after graduation to farm and marry his high school sweetheart, Donna Bell. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on March 21st.
George was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Taylorville and served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was on the boards of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, Christian County Farm Bureau, and Christian County F.S. He loved traveling with his wife, Donna, spending many winter months in Maui where he became an avid canoer in his senior years. He also spent many hours woodworking, creating beautiful handmade pieces that his family treasure and display in their homes.
George is survived by his wife of 59 years: Donna Anselm; sons: Aaron Anselm (Angie) and Alan Anselm (girlfriend, Ellen Beyers) all of Taylorville; grandchildren: Andrew Anselm (Julie), Alex Anselm (Meghan), Aimee Anselm, Isabella Anselm, and Victoria Anselm; great-grandchildren: McKenna, Charlie, Owen, Peyton and Dallas. He was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest grandchild: Ashley Anselm, with whom he shared the love of books.
The funeral service for George will be held at 3p.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2019 in the First United Methodist Church in Taylorville with Rev. Becky Lembke officiating. Burial will take place at the Old Stonington Cemetery. Visitation will take place Sunday from 2 until 3p.m. in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the Taylorville F.F.A.
McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories of George, or condolences to his family, may be left online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com
