Edwin “Big Ed” D. Wernsing, 79, of Litchfield, died on Sunday morning, May 11, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 19, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. The Rev. Fred Kraemer will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 until 7 p.m., Sunday, May 18, at the church.
Known to all as “Big Ed”, Mr. Wernsing was born Oct. 24, 1945, in Litchfield to Burrell and Melvina (Steinmann) Wernsing. He attended Zion Lutheran School and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1963. He attended the University of Illinois in Champaign and later worked at Fiat-Allis. He joined his father in business at the Wernsing Appliance store, which has been in “beautiful downtown Litchfield” for 66 years.
On May 25, 1974, Mr. Wernsing married the former Patricia A. Beeler in Litchfield and she survives.
Mr. Wernsing was involved in the Litchfield community, serving in the Jaycees and Rotary Clubs, played Santa, announced the Old Settlers Parade and Veiled Non-Profit Ceremony. He had been a member of the Litchfield Planning Commission since 1984, was Litchfield’s Citizen of the Year in 2008, and the Veiled Non-Profit in 2022. He was also a member of Brand Source Buying Group since 1992. He served on many professional boards and was named Dealer of the Year in 2005.
As a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, Mr. Wernsing served on various boards and as an usher. Above all else, he was a St. Louis Blues Hockey fan; he had attended games since 1968. Mr. Wernsing enjoyed seeing the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019 and bring it down Market St.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Wernsing is survived by one son, Douglas (Michelle, nee Leefers) Wernsing of Litchfield; two grandsons, Landon Paul and Carter Dean Wernsing of Litchfield; one brother, Darrel (Karen) Wernsing of Mt. Pulaski; several nieces, nephews and cousins, including Judy Wernsing, Jennifer Wernsing, Elizabeth Wernsing, Katherine Yaple, Jonathon Wernsing, Nelson Wernsing, Dale Garard, Roy Steinmann, Jim Walch and Don Walch; several great-nephews and great-great-nephews; brothers-in-law, Jim (Carol) Beeler, Bill (Sue) Beeler, Paul (Marsha) Beeler and Dan (Cindy) Beeler; and sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Larry) Boston, Linda (Russ) Poggenpohl and Sara (Grant Hoffman) Pennock.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Ralph and Lucille Beeler; and his beloved daughter, Alexis, who passed in 2015.
Donations may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, or to the Alexis Wernsing Innovation Memorial at the U of I. Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. To sign the online guest book, light a virtual candle or to find directions, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
