Robert W. Buhrke, age 77, Navy, World War II Veteran, of LeRoy, IL, formerly of Glenview, born July 18, 1923, died Friday, January 26, 2001, son of Henry Buhrke and Clara S. Butzow; life-long husband of 38 years to Pauline C. Buhrke, nee Hofmeister; dear father of Richard R. (Rhonda) Buhrke of Shawano, WI, Dean A. (Karen) Buhrke of LeRoy, IL, Michael R. (Cynthia) Buhrke of Namibia, Africa, Mark A. Buhrke of Chicago, IL, Joan B. Laehn of Germantown, WI, Janice S. (John) Schenck of New Richmond, WI and Susan J. (Michael) Taylor of Pewaukee, WI; fond brother of Eleanor M. Hoogerhyde of Mt. Prospect, IL, and Lois E. (Leroy) Breitzman of Glenview, IL; grandfather of 10; great-grandfather of one. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Laura Gerken and Helen B. Krueger. Bob was a graduate of New Trier High School in Winnetka, and served in the Navy during WWII. He retired as the Bloomington Postmaster with the U.S. Postal Service, and later served as the Business Manager of Trinity Lutheran Church for many years. He was a former president of the Lutheran High School Association of Greater Chicago; the 1977 chairman of the McLean County United Way campaign; a member of the McLean County Zoning Board of Appeals; and a former member of Bloomington Kiwanis Club. Visitation will be Sunday, January 28, 5 to 7 p.m. at Kibler-Smith Memorial Home, 1104 N. Main St., Bloomington. Funeral will be held 10 a.m., Monday, January 29, 2001 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bloomington, IL, with Rev. Thomas C. Wirsing officiating. Burial will take place at 2:30 p.m. January 29, 2001 in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Glenview, IL. Bob was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenview and recently of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington serving as an officer and as a committee member all his adult life. His Christian beliefs lead him to service in the Bloomington-Normal Camp of Gideons International. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, Gideons International or to Lutheran Bible Translators. Arrangements by Kibler-Smith Memorial Home, 309-828-2422.
