WESLEY R. LUEDEKING, 81 FREEPORT - Wesley R. Luedeking, 81, of Freeport, died Monday, November 9, 2015, at FHN Memorial Hospital. He was born September 10, 1934, to Beulah Brubaker Luedeking in Freeport, IL. He was preceded in death by his mother, Beulah Brubaker Luedeking and daughter, Janis Simler. He married Jenlyn Stocks on January 15, 1955, at St. Lukes Methodist Church in Dubuque, Iowa. Wes was an outstanding athlete at Freeport High School. He lettered 13 times in 4 years playing football, basketball, baseball, and track. He received All State Honors and recently was inducted into the 2015 Freeport High School Hall of Fame. He then went on to attend Northern Illinois University where he played football, basketball, baseball, and track from 1953-1957. Wes was named a small school All-American in football at NIU and was honored by being inducted into NIU's Hall of Fame in 2009. Although Wes was honored to receive these recognitions what Wes was really proud of was the education he received. This allowed Wes to return to Freeport and do the second thing that he enjoyed most, the ability to teach and coach many young student/athletes for many years to come. Upon graduation from NIU he was an educator at Orangeville High School, Durand High School and then spent most years teaching/coaching at Freeport High School. He taught for a total of 38 years. Wes spent the majority of years coaching football, basketball and track at Freeport High School. Many will remember him also as the Driver Education Instructor. He taught many students behind the wheel safety over the years. Wes lived in Freeport most of his life except for the years he attended NIU. He had many opportunities to leave Freeport but always felt that Freeport was where he was to be "HOME". He married his high school sweetheart, Jenlyn Stocks on January 15, 1955. They were married for 60 years. Wes said he would have never been able to accomplish all the things he did without her by his side. Wes is survived by his wife, Jenlyn Luedeking; son, James (Carrie) and their sons, Cole and Clay Luedeking of Freeport; son, Jerry (Laurie) and their children, Jason of Colorado, Jordan, Jerrad Luedeking and stepson, Devin Davidson all of Freeport. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Janis Simlar and survived by her children, Wesly, Virginia (Brandon) Gina and great-grandchildren, Vanessa, Melanie, Dayton and Memphis of Minnesota and soon to be Jax of Freeport. Memorial services will be 3 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2015, at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home. Visitation will be held after the service until 7 pm. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his memory. Please sign the guestbook and share a story at www.burketubbs.com.