Florijan O. Urekar

EAGLE RIVER, Alaska - Tech. Sgt. Florijan Otto Urekar of Eagle River, Alaska, formerly of Springfield, died Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at his home.

He was born Dec. 20, 1962, in Springfield, the son of Joseph and Verlene Kruckeberg Urekar. He married Cherie Segal on Nov. 24,

1984; she survives.

He graduated from Southeast High School in 1982. During Florijan's high school years, he worked for Watt Brother's Pharmacy in

Springfield. He was later employed at K's Merchandise Mart in Springfield before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1987. After basic training

and tech school, he was assigned to Travis Air Force Base in California, where he worked the flight line, back shop and ISO. He was deployed to Saudi Arabia and served

in operations Desert Shield, Storm and Calm. He later was reassigned to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska and was proficient on multiple aircraft, as well as becoming the sole dual airframe engine run certified technician in his career field. Tech. Sgt. Urekar was lauded at Kunsan Air Base in Korea for the many milestones he accomplished serving in the hydraulics shop. He served as hydraulics section chief and squadron facilities manager/environmental program coordinator.

Tech. Sgt. Urekar's decorations include Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak

leaf clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal and the Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf clusters. He retired from the Air Force on March 30, 2007.

He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Eagle River. He also was an integral part of the local community, serving as head umpire for the Elmendorf baseball and softball youth programs until he moved to Eagle River and

became the head umpire for the Knik Little League and the umpire instructor

for the Anchorage and Eagle River area.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph; and father-in-law, John Segal.

Surviving are his four sons, Joshua (fiancee, Codi Horak) of Albany, Ore., and John, Florijan Junior and Russell, all at home; mother, Verlene Urekar and sister, Elaine Urekar, both of Springfield; mother-in-law, Judy Lockenour (husband, Clyde) of Mackinaw; brother-in-law, Tony Segal (wife, Cheryl) of Ingleside; two nieces; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services for Tech. Sgt. Urekar will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 15, 2007, at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel, with Pastor Arthur Schudde officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 14, 2007, at the funeral home. Interment will be in Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria. Scott Air Force Base will conduct full military honors at the graveside.

Memorials may be made to American Heart Association - Midwest Affiliate.

Tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.mem.com.