Joseph F. "Joe" Kreke

Visitation Dates and Times
Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Visitation Location
St. Cecilia Catholic Church ~ Bartelso
Service Date
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Service Time
2:00 p.m.
Service Location
St. Cecilia Catholic Church ~ Bartelso
Full Obituary
Joseph F. "Joe" Kreke, age 93, of Bartelso, died Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Cedarhurst of Breese. He was born January 22, 1932, in Bartelso, a son of the late Mary (nee Gebke) and Henry B. Kreke, Sr. On June 19, 1970, he married Agnes "Aggie" Huelsmann at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso, and together they shared 42 years of marriage until her passing on January 20, 2013.
A proud veteran, Joe honorably served his country in the National Guard and U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1950–1953. Prior to his service, he signed a minor league contract to pitch for the New York Giants organization. Following his time in the military, he returned home to Bartelso where he worked as a carpenter and was co-owner of Bartelso Community Builders.
Joe will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and as a genuine, humble, and hardworking man. He enjoyed playing cards, hunting, spending time at the clubhouse, and especially watching his grandchildren. Baseball was a lifelong passion-he was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, played in the Clinton County Baseball League for Bartelso, and later enjoyed following the league as well as his grandchildren's sporting events. Above all, Joe treasured time spent with family and friends.
Joe was a member of St. Ceclia Catholic Church in Bartelso, former member of Bartelso American Legion Post 976 and now member of Germantown American Legion Post 325, 109 Sportsman's Club, and the local Carpenters Union.
He is survived by his two children, Donna (Ron "Hondo") Gerdes and Patrick (Nikki) Kreke, all of Bartelso; five grandchildren, Kelsey Gerdes, Tanner (friend, Rylee Langa) Gerdes, Devin Kreke, Jaidyn Kreke, and Dawson Kreke; sisters-in-law, Dolores "Blondie" Kreke of Bartelso and Janice Huelsmann of Columbia; special nephew, John (Tammy) Rickhoff of Bartelso; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Joe was preceded in death by his siblings, Margaret (Frank) Aug, Catherine (Martin) Suetterlin, Veronica Kreke, Laura (Victor) Pingsterhaus, Frank "Bud" (Celia) Kreke, Henry "Hank" Kreke, and Fred (Rose) Kreke; parents-in-law, Fred and Caroline (nee Eversgerd) Huelsmann; and brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Andrew Huelsmann and Johanna (Raymond "Doc") Rickhoff.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso with Fr. Thomas Lugge and Fr. James Buerster concelebrating. Interment will follow at St. Cecilia Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso.
In lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts, memorials may be made to St. Cecilia Parish or the wishes of the family (checks payable to Donna Gerdes) and will be received at the visitation or by mail, Moss Funeral Home, 535 N 5th St. Breese, IL 62230, who is serving the family.