Jesse Lavern Bundy

Jesse LaVern Bundy, age 86, of Mt. Carroll, IL, passed away November 22, 2024 at University of Iowa Hospital, in Iowa City, IA. A private graveside service will take place at Center Hill Cemetery.

Jesse was born November 7, 1938, in Savanna, the son of Grant and Hattie (Smith) Bundy. He attended Savanna schools, graduating from Savanna High School with the class of 1956. Jesse delivered groceries for Don Lutton and McNash, and at the age of 13, started working for the Milwaukee Railroad, unloading baggage from passenger cars.

After graduating high school, he decided to make a career of it, hiring on full time. He began as a section panel worker, then as clerk, handling freight & baggage from passenger trains. In 1959 he transferred to Savanna shops of Milwaukee Railroad in Marion, Iowa, as he was promoted to a trainman’s position.

He transferred, in 1960, to the Chicago division of the Milwaukee Railroad, becoming an engine service fireman. He was promoted to engineer in 1969. For more than 40 years, Jesse worked for local railroads.

During these decades, Jesse was also involved in a number of local and fraternal organizations, including, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLET) since 1969; Master Mason Mississippi Lodge #385, Savanna, IL; Scottish Rite 32nd Degree Mason Freeport Consistory, Freeport, IL; Member of Shriners, Mohammed Temple, Rock Island, IL; and Moose Lodge #1095, Savanna, IL.

In 1959, Jesse married Carol Kuhns, in Galena. The couple would go on to have two children, and enjoyed 60 years of marriage, before Carol’s passing. One of Jesse’s favorite parts of life was travelling, often with Carol by his side. He was the type of traveler who enjoyed the journey even more than the destination. Always one to avoid interstate highways, Jesse preferred the authentic experience of backroads; experiencing the interesting parts of each small town. He and Carol would fondly recall their treacherous mountain road adventures, and stumbling across ghost towns on old western backroads.

Jesse loved to fish, and looked forward to his annual fishing trip to Canada. From 1976 to 2023, Jesse and many others from the Savanna area, traveled to Moose Horn Lodge in Ontario. This tradition was soon shared with Jesse’s son, and to this day, he continues the annual trip.

Thousands of photos were taken on these adventures and upon returning home, Jesse often made photo albums for his family. During his down time, he enjoyed listening to music, especially unique foreign types of music, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Jesse is survived by his son, Michael (Laurie Smiley) Bundy, of Savanna; daughter, Lynn Murphy, of Mt. Carroll; seven grandchildren, Carisa Sels, Ashley Durward, Kali Partin, Karis Bundy, Keegan Murphy, Kyle Murphy, and Kasey Murphy; and seven great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Hattie; wife, Carol; and three brothers, Howard Bundy, Willard (LeAnna) Bundy, and Calvin (Betty) Bundy.