KENNETH O. "BOP" JAHNKE

Kenneth O. "Bop" Jahnke, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, September 23, 2013 at his home in Glen Ellyn, IL, formerly Arlington Heights. Ken was born in Chicago to Otto and Frieda (Eichmann) Jahnke, the youngest of 3 boys. He graduated from Lane Tech High School in Chicago, IL. He enlisted in the US Air Force at age17 and served his country proudly in the Philippines. Ken married his high school sweetheart Evelyn Johnson in 1947 in Chicago. They were happily married for 65 years. Ken worked for Chicago Board of Education as Foreman of the Electrical Department for 22 years. He was a member of Arlington Heights Police Reserve for 21 years. Ken loved spending time with his family, especially any activities involving his 4 grandchildren. He also enjoyed the antics of his 5 great grandchildren, playing "Bop" games. He received an award from the state of Illinois for his efforts teaching special needs children to swim for 7 years. He will always be remembered as generous, honest, patriotic, honorable and a man of integrity with a willingness to help all in need. By all who knew him, he was a true "gentle man", and a genuine part of the Greatest Generation. His joy was in serving others. To know him, was to love him. He was known by all as "Bop". "We thank God for the gift of his life and the honor to call him Dad." He will be missed by all who knew him. Ken was cherished by his daughters Deb Jahnke of Carol Stream, Sandee (Andy) Schlickman of Wheaton and Ruth Jahnke (Larry Baker) of Arlington Heights; the doting grandfather "Bop" of Hilary & Paul Briant, Eric & Kate Schlickman, Emily Schlickman & Mason Earles, and Ian Baker. He is also survived by his 5 great grandchildren Henry, Gray and Felicity Schlickman and Madeleine and Charlotte Briant and his much loved nieces and sister in law Vye Jahnke. Buddy, his dog, was his constant companion. He was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife Evelyn, his parents, his brothers Harold and Bill Jahnke, his in-laws KJ and Dorothy Johnson and his niece's husband Bill Thom. A celebration of Bop's life will be held on Saturday, September 28 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 515 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton, IL at 12 noon. A visitation will be held just prior to the service at 10am, at the church. Burial will be private on Monday at St. John's Cemetery in Arlington Heights. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Honor Flight Chicago, for Ken's love of our country and military, or to Vitas Hospice of Lombard for their special care during this difficult time. "We would also like to thank Ethel, Ken's caregiver, for the loving care she gave our Dad and us." Funeral information, 630-668-0016 or www.williams-kampp.com.