A World War II veteran and electronic technician for Northrop Grumman Corp. for more than 30 years, Earl F. Lemke, 83, was always there for his wife and children, family members say. Mr. Lemke died of leukemia Monday, Dec. 22, in his Arlington Heights home. Born in Chicago, he attended Trinity Lutheran grade school. After graduating from Lane Tech High School, he worked as a jewelry polisher until he was drafted into the Army in 1942. He was a sergeant and served in the Philippines as a radar repairman, and was awarded a Bronze Star. After his discharge in 1946, he went to work for Northrop Grumman, largely on civil defense contracts dealing with military radar, said his daughter Amy Phillips. He met his future wife, Adeline, in church, marrying in 1948. The couple lived in Chicago until 1956, when they moved to Norridge. They retired to the Lutheran Home & Services in Arlington Heights in 1990. “They were the first couple to move in there. They were by themselves for two weeks before anyone else moved in,” his daughter said. Since retiring, Mr. Lemke “put 10,000 miles on his bicycle” and played pool, participating in a tournament every winter, his daughter said. Besides his wife and daughter, other survivors include a son, Thomas; another daughter, Jean Molitor; a sister, Alice Gilbert; and seven grandchildren. Services were held Saturday.
