MENDOTA - Rev. Harold L. Koonce, 92, guided by song and the love of his family, left this life for his eternal reward in Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to reunite with his lifelong sweetheart on Dec. 3, 2021.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 at United Pentecostal Church, Mendota. Additional visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. Rev. Charles Yeakel will officiate, and burial will follow at Restland Memorial Gardens. Wasmer Funeral Home is privileged to assist the family.

Pallbearers will be David, Tony and Brad Koonce, Matthew and Nathan Trembly and Rob Hult. Honorary pallbearers will be Aaron Giglietti, Eric Himebaugh, Nick Otto, A.J. Ortega and Josh Edwards.

Harold was born April 8, 1929 in Vandalia to Roy and Merena (Jay) Koonce. He married the love of his life, Juanita Bernice Spicer on Nov. 20, 1948 in Vandalia. She preceded him in death on Nov. 7, 2020.

Survivors include three sons, Danny (Vicki) Koonce of Brownstown, Michael (Kay) Koonce of Vandalia and Rev. Timothy (Polly Ann) Koonce of Wapella; two daughters, Devra (Rev. Charles) Yeakel of Mendota and Jana (James) Trembly of Mendota; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren with one on the way; and two sisters, Arlene Gerwolls of Monroe City, Ind. and Linda Sue (Charlie) Townsend of Vandalia.

He was preceded in death by his wife; four brothers, Bob, Don, Bill and Keith; and four sisters, Alene Trulock, Dorothy Gerhart and two sisters in infancy.

Harold gave his life to the Lord at age 18, answering a call that would lead him to be a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, service leader, preacher, pastor and presbyter. He began at the First Pentecostal Church of Vandalia and served there for 18 years. He planted the Mulberry Grove United Pentecostal Church in 1966 remaining until 1977. From 1977 until 2003, he served as pastor of the United Pentecostal Church of Mendota, then followed as Pastor Emeritus from 2004 until the present. From 1985 until 2007, he served as Section 11 Presbyter of the Illinois District of United Pentecostal Church International, then was designated an Honorary member until 2021. During the time he was pastoring in Mendota, he began and helped on the restoration of the Ottawa United Pentecostal Church. Later in life after retiring, Harold enjoyed playing games with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed gardening, sharing his harvest with family and friends. He always worked with his hands, building houses and churches, and was a handyman in electrical, heating, cooling, painting and mechanics. He was also an author of two books, “From the Plow to the Pulpit” and “Miracles of God” along with a third book to be published posthumously. Though talented and helpful with all those tasks, his greatest accomplishment was serving the Lord and others. He wasn’t afraid to live and in the end, he wasn’t afraid to die. He looked forward to the prize before him.

Memorials may be directed to United Pentecostal Church of Mendota. Condolences may be left at wasmerfuneralhome.com.