Jun 25, 2019

Flamm Orchards’ Leonard ‘Slim’ Flamm dies in Illinois at age 84

Leonard “Slim” Flamm, 84, of Cobden, Ilinois, died on June, 19, 2019.  Flamm was the fourth generation of the family operating Flamm Orchards.

Mr. Flamm’s obituary follows:

Leonard Flamm was born to Leonard L. Flamm Sr. and Alberta “Bert” Flamm on March 11, 1935 in Cairo, Illinois, that was the start of a very full life.

Leonard was affectionately known by his nicknames of Slim or Junie depending on what stage of his life you met him. He loved to be around people and enjoyed many close relationships where the approachability of a nickname seemed more appropriate than his given name.

Flamm’s greatest accomplishment was his marriage to Judith Vaupel on Oct. 22, 1960.  As a result of their union they created a large loving family that survives.  Jeffrey (Leigh Anne) Flamm of Cobden, Illinois; Donna McCLane (Dan Falvey) of Antioch, California; Barbara (Allen) James of Anna, Illinois; and Mike (Lynn) Flamm of Cobden, Illinois. He was dearly loved by his grandchildren:  Nicholas (Kara) James of Harrisburg, Illinois: Carly James (Travis Holtkamp) of Anna, Illinois; Kaylin Flamm (Dakota Lawrence) of Nashville, Tennessee; Tristan James of New York, New York; Austin Flamm of Cobden, Illinois; Matthew McClane of St. Louis, Missouri; Parker Flamm (Morgan Cozart) of Cobden, Illinois; Abigail McClane of Antioch, California; and Meredith Flamm of Cobden, Illinois.

Mr. Flamm lived across the field from his brother William “Bill” Flamm and sister-in-law Nancy all their adult lives working and raising their families together.  He was very fond of his many nieces and their families.

Slim and Bill along with their cousin Edwin “Ed” Flamm grew the family farm and orchard into what is today known as Flamm Orchards Inc. They raised and sold wholesale peaches, apples, squash, cucumbers, eggplant, and peppers nationwide plus a large strawberry patch for local enjoyment.

Slim envisioned a retail operation where people could come and eat strawberry shortcake in the Spring. That vision grew into the Fruits and Cream Stand that seasonally sells strawberry shortcake, peach cobbler, apple pie, and apple dumplings.

Slim was predeceased by his parents, son-in-law Dana McClane, sister Jean Lamer and her husband Roy.

The family will celebrate Slim’s life with a visitation at the Rendleman-Hileman Funeral Home in Cobden, Illinois, on Friday night, June 21, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a brief memorial to be held at 7:30 p.m. during visitation.  A funeral mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Saturday morning June 22, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. will be performed.  The family’s preference is memorials made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home.