John R. Luedke

CHARLESTON, IL – John Richard “Dick” Luedke, age 87 of Charleston, passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 921 Madison Avenue in Charleston.  The Funeral Mass honoring and celebrating his life will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday with Father Hyland Smith officiating.  Burial will take place in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston with Military Services to be conducted by the Charleston VFW and Charleston American Legion combined honor guard.  It is requested that donations in his honor be made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and left at the visitation/service or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

John was born September 27, 1931 in Shelby County, Illinois, one of two boys born to the late Joseph and Ruth (Kennedy) Luedke.  He married Patsy Ruth Miller and they became the proud parents of two children, David and Karen.  Following Patsy’s death in 1993 John married a former schoolmate, Margaret (Wassom) Henkleman.  Surviving is Margaret, his wife of 23 years; his son, David A. Luedke and wife Joyce of rural Lerna, Illinois; grandchildren, Kirsten Woodworth and husband A.J. of Crystal City, Texas and Cameron Luedke and fiancé Sarah Brinkley of Newman, Illinois; great-granddaughter, Patsy Eileen Woodworth; seven stepsons and their families, Bill, John, Bob, Tom, Teddy, Leonard and Ron Henkleman; along with cousins, nieces and nephews.  John was also preceded by his daughter, Karen and brother Francis.

John was a 1950 graduate of Neoga High School and served with the United States Air Force as a jet engine mechanic.  For many years he worked in the agricultural field as a plant manager for Monsanto in Newman, and Farm Services in Kemp.  He was also a sales representative for Schultz Seed Company in Dieterich.  His last employment before retirement was a supervisor position with the State of Illinois Rehabilitation Services.

John was a member of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church family, the Neoga American Legion Post 0458; and former member of the Charleston Moose, Elks and Eagles clubs.  Since his days with the Air Force, John maintained an interest in jet fighter planes, was a welder and a woodworker.  As a skilled woodworker he often created beautiful pieces of furniture that he gifted to family members.  John possessed an outgoing personality and had the ability to talk with anyone, which enhanced his ability to become successful in his sales careers and to hold your attention when telling a good story.  He was a BBQ Pit Master and the unofficial mayor of Buchanan Court.  John was a man who cared for his family and will be lovingly remembered.