William Donald Harbecke

1939 - 2025

William Donald Harbecke
Born: August 15, 1939
Died: November 18, 2025
William Donald Harbecke, 86, of Sycamore, died peacefully on November 18, 2025 at his home.
Bill was born on August 15, 1939 in Chicago, IL to William B. and Maria (Burchard) Harbecke. He married the love of his life, Betty J. Malone, on September 15, 1962. They just celebrated 63 years of marriage.
Bill was a lifelong farmer, devoted father, and Cubs fan. These things were all intertwined together in the life he and Betty shared. He was born to farm, starting out with his father in Sycamore, then with his brother, and finally his son. He loved driving his semi to cattle sales in central Illinois and Missouri to buy feeder calves for their beef cattle operation. He also enjoyed a hat full of pears from his favorite tree when fall silage chopping season came along. His combine buddy seat was often occupied by one of his children, and later one of his grandchildren, with whom he would share treats that his wife had sent to the tractor. He also enjoyed many family road trips, playing games to stay awake as he drove into the night in hopes of getting in an extra day at Disney World. Home meant regular get togethers with their life long friends, serving at church in any way he could find, and of course pitching for so many years in the church softball league. He was faithful to his loving wife. He was faithful to his personal Savior Jesus Christ. And if you knew him at all, you know he was faithful to his Chicago Cubs.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Harbecke. His children, Julie Harbecke, Susan Gosciejew, Mark (Jenny) Harbecke, and Allison Harbecke (John Kearsing). He is also survived by his grandchildren Stephen (Tiffany) Gosciejew, Anna Gosciejew, Elizabeth (Kevin) Drendel, Seth Harbecke, Tessa Harbecke, Chloe Harbecke, Caroline Harbecke, Maya Kearsing, and Piper Kearsing. And his great-grandchildren, Leo, Louise and Laurel Gosciejew and Wilkes and Mabel Drendel.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents William and Maria Harbecke and his siblings, Bertha, Walter, Roy, and Ruth.
His visitation will be on Friday, November 28th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave. in Sycamore.
An additional visitation time will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 29th at Bethany Road Bible Church, 2215 Bethany Road in DeKalb with his funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be after the service at the Elmwood Cemetery, also in Sycamore.
Memorial contributions may be made to Feed My Starving Children (www.fmsc.org).
To sign the online guest book or share a memory, go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com