Rev. Harold L. Koonce, 92, 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 Friday, Dec. 3, 2021.
Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 10 in United Pentecostal Church from 4-8 p.m. Additional visitation will be 11 a.m. until service time of 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. Rev. Charles Yeakel will officiate, and burial will follow in Restland Memorial Gardens. Wasmer Funeral Home is privileged to assist the family.
Harold was born April 8,1929 in Vandalia to Roy and Merena (Jay) Koonce. He 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. On November 20, 1948, he married the love of his life, Juanita Bernice Spicer, in Vandalia. She preceded him in death on November 7, 2020.
Harold 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.
He is survived by 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, and three great, great grandchildren with one on the way, two sisters: Arlene Gerwolls of Monroe City, IN, and Linda Sue (Charlie) Townsend of Vandalia.
Along with his wife Bernice, he was predeceased by his parents, four brothers: Bob, Don, Bill and Keith; daughter-in-law, Janet Koonce; two sisters in infancy and two sisters: Alene Trulock and Dorothy Gerhart.
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.
Memorials may be directed to United Pentecostal Church of Mendota. Condolences may be left at wasmerfuneralhome.com.