Roland F. Birkner

1931 - 2013

Roland Birkner

Roland F. Birkner, 82, of Red Bud, Ill., born Jan. 23, 1931, in Prairie du Long Township, Ill., died Tuesday, June 18, 2013, in rural Red Bud, Ill.

Mr. Birkner worked for Swift & Co., and the Royal Packing Co., as a beef lugger. He retired from Red Bud High School as a custodian. Roland was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, VFW Post 6632 in Red Bud, Ill., and the American Legion Post 622 in Prairie du Rocher, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Emma, nee Schaefer, Birkner; a sister, Edna Nellis; sister-in-law, Anita Salger; and brothers-in-law, Gilbert, Arlin, Friedrich and Edwin Salger and Oscar Stamm.

Surviving are his wife, Irma, nee Stellhorn, Birkner, whom he married on Oct. 8, 1961, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Red Bud, Ill.; children, Sharon (Jeff) Koester of Red Bud, Ill., Rhonda Nobbe of Red Bud, Ill., and Todd (Linda) Birkner of Red Bud, Ill.; grandchildren, Nathan Marcheski, Chelsea and Candace Koester and Reagan and Jayden Birkner; a sister, Marlene (Donald) Winkelmann of Red Bud, Ill.; sisters-in-law, Bernice Salger, Irene Stamm, Lorna (Edward) Schneider and Selma Stellhorn; and brothers-in-law, David Nellis, Alfrd (Ruby) Stellhorn and Edward (May) Stellhorn.

Memorials may be made to the St. John's Lutheran Expansion Fund.

Visitation: Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2013, at Koch-Liefer Funeral Home, Red Bud, Ill., and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2013, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Red Bud, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2013, at St. John's Lutheran Church with Rev. Mark Nebel officiating. Military graveside services by VFW Post 6632 will be held at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Red Bud, Ill.

KOCH-LIEFER FUNERAL HOME, Red Bud, Ill.