Edward "Corky" Grimm

Edward “Corky” Grimm, 91, of Mt. Carroll, died October 13, 2014 at FHN Hospital from complications of pneumonia.Corky was born September 11, 1923 to Ferdinand and Alma (Moak) Grimm. He was the youngest of six children: brothers Ferdinand, Charles and Grant; sisters, Lillian Mace and Evelyn Schaut. On October 17, 1959, Edward married Joan Suzanne Frawley Craig, and they had three children: Lisa Welborn of Granite City, IL, Elaine Taylor of Springfield, IL and Todd Edward of Mt. Carroll. He will be greatly missed as well by his grandchildren, Emily, Michael, and Ryan Taylor of Springfield.
Corky is preceded in death by his father and mother, sisters and brothers, and his beloved wife, Joan.
Corky was a lifelong resident of the Mt. Carroll area. He was raised first in Wacker with his parents, who owned and operated the Deer Creek Creamery, later known as Grimm’s Dairy. The Grimm family made butter, cheese and pasteurized milk at this location. They also delivered bottled milk (and ice in the winter). In 1946, the business was moved to Mt. Carroll where they expanded their delivery business and had milk routes that covered four counties. On Rapp Street, the front of the dairy was opened as Grimm’s Dairy Bar, which was a popular shop for milkshakes, ice cream and sodas.
In 1960, Corky and his brother, Grant opened Grimm’s Café in Savanna, IL. They also built the Sinclair Gas Station, later knows as Econo Gas Station & Car Wash, which operated from 1973 to 1990. Many local townspeople found employment in these three businesses, and Corky was a well-known businessman in the communities of Mt. Carroll and Savanna.
Edward proudly served in the United States Army during WWII. He was wounded in battle and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was a longtime member of the American Legion and VFW. He was also a past member and president of the Mt. Carroll Chamber of Commerce.
In 1970, Grimm’s Dairy was relocated from the Rapp Street location to the building on West Market Street. It remained open until 1988.Corky, (so nicknamed after the “Corky” character in the comic strip “Gasoline Alley”), loved cars, especially the Buicks he owned. He ordered his first Buick when he returned from WWII and had to wait quite a long time to have it delivered, since the automotive builders had to re-tool from making war machines, to make cars again. He was still driving a Buick Riviera until shortly before his passing.
He also greatly loved and honored his wife, Joan, who preceded him in death in 1996. They traveled often together and especially like visiting “out West” to Las Vegas, New Mexico and California.
In his later years, Corky was able to visit with and attend many of his grandchildren’s sporting and music events. He recently attended both Emily’s high school, and Michael’s eighth grade graduations. Corky was an avid reader. He loved biographies and military histories, especially. He was a frequent patron of the Mt. Carroll Township Public Library.Most of all, Edward “Corky” Grimm will be remembered as a great father, husband, uncle and grandfather, and as a friend to everyone he met. He is missed already.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2014 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll with Full Military Rites. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2014 at the Funeral Home.