March 18 1942 July 9 2019
Kenneth “Ken” L. Hartke, 77, of El Paso, passed away at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 09, 2019 in El Paso, following a long battle with cancer. His funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington with Pastor Chuck Bahn officiating. The family would like to invite everyone to a luncheon and time of fellowship following the service at church. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 12, 2019 at the church. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements. Interment will be at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday in El Paso Township Evergreen Cemetery in El Paso. Memorial contributions may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Kiwanis Club of El Paso, or Community Cancer Center in Normal. Ken was born on March 18, 1942 in Kankakee, a son of Kenneth Theodore and Wilma Bertha Kirchmann Hartke. He married Sherry Von Behren on December 1, 1963 in Charleston. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sherry Hartke; children, David Hartke of Chatham, Sarah Harrison of Bloomington, Michael (Amy) Hartke of Barrington, Stephen Hartke of Pontiac, and Rebecca (Brad) Kassing of Mount Sterling; grandchildren, Gabriel, Abigail, Luke, Faith, Cole, Emma, Elijah, MacKenzie, Joshua, Michael, Marlee, and Madison; sisters, Jan (Hal) Bryant of Bourbonnais and Nancy (Rufus) Blackley of Charlottesville, NC. Ken is also survived by many nieces and nephews and his dog, Lily. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant Brother, David. Ken was employed as a teacher and coach at Forman Junior High School in Manito for 14 years, later he was employed with Funk Seeds in Bloomington for 16 years. He then retired from Country Insurance where he was employed as an insurance agent in El Paso for several years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington for many years. Ken was also a member of the Kiwanis Club of El Paso. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved filling his time with hunting, fishing, and traveling. Ken and Sherry traveled to all 50 States together. He loved reading and speaking of his grandchildren of whom he was extremely proud. Ken will be greatly missed by all who knew him. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Kenneth L. Hartke please visit our Sympathy Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Kenneth L Hartke March 18 1942 July 9 2019.
Death notice for the town of: Bloomington, state: Illinois