Obituary of Robert Stephen Harke

A Mass of Christian Burial for Robert "Bob" Stephen Harke of Old Monroe, MO, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 3, 2013 at Immaculate Conception Church in Old Monroe. Fr. Phil Krahman, church pastor, will officiate with burial in Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Jared Poeling, Jason Poeling, Michael Harke, Phil Harke, Ron Harke and Tony Bauer. Mr. Harke, 90, passed away Thursday evening, May 30, 2013 at the Elsberry Health Care Center near Elsberry, MO. Born August 21, 1922 in the Chain of Rocks community near Old Monroe, he was the son of Lawrence J. and Lucille "Lucy" Wehde Harke. He served his country in the United States Army from October 13, 1944 until being honorably discharged on October 24, 1946. He was united in marriage on May 9, 1950 in Old Monroe to Bernadette Ida Burkemper. This union was blessed with two children: Karen Ann and James Robert. He was a farmer for many years. He was a 50 year member of American Legion Post #420 and of the St. Charles County Baseball Hall of Fame. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Lucy Harke; and two brothers-in-law, Alvin Bauer and Oliver "Buzzie" Bowman. Survivors include his beloved wife of 63 years, Bernadette Harke of Old Monroe; one daughter, Karen Poeling and her husband, Marvin, of Evansville, IN; one son, James Harke and his wife, Denise, of Moscow Mills, MO; and six grandchildren: Lauren Rodgers and her husband, John, Jared Poeling, Jason Poeling, Alexa Poeling, Michael Harke and Nicole Harke. He also leaves three sisters: Harriett Bauer and her husband, Edwin "Epp", of O'Fallon, MO, Ruth Bauer of Old Monroe and Kathryn Bowman also of Old Monroe; four brothers: Carl Harke and his wife, Dorothy "Dot", of O'Fallon, Roy Harke and his wife, Norma, also of O'Fallon, Earl Harke and his wife, Betty, and Gary Harke and his wife, Ann, all of Old Monroe; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and numerous friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, June 2, 2013 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield. An American Legion Post service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Fund, I.C. Building Fund or Masses in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home; 3838 East Highway 47; P.O. Box 253; Winfield, MO 63389.