Obituary of Harold Alphonse Harke

Mass of Christian Burial for Harold Alphonse Harke of Old Monroe, MO will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Old Monroe. Fr. Richard Rath, church pastor, will officiate with burial in Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Glen Harke, Darrel Harke, Luke Harke, Ted Creech, Dennis Roettger and Dan Creech. Mr. Harke, 91, passed away Thursday evening, January 21, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur, MO. Born August 22, 1929 in Old Monroe, he was the son of Albert and Cora Burkemper Harke. Harold was a graduate of Troy High School. He served his country during the Korean War. Harold was united in marriage on September 5, 1955 in St. Paul, MO to Loretta Ann Vogelgesang. This union was blessed with three children: Jeff, Paula and Elaine. Harold owned and operated Lincoln County Construction Company until his retirement in 1991. He was as longtime member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where he was a member of the Men’s Sodality. Harold was also a member of of American Legion Post #420 in Old Monroe, Chain of Rocks Hunting Club and Carpenters Union Local #32 in Wentzville, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Cora Harke; three brothers: Howard, Bill and David Harke; one granddaughter, Amanda Harke Owings; and his beloved wife of 63 years, Loretta Harke, who died on September 16, 2018. Survivors include his children: Jeff Harke and his wife, Theresa, of Old Monroe; Paula Blechle and her husband, Dan, of O’Fallon, MO and Elaine Harke and her wife, Rosie, of St. Charles, MO. Harold also leaves five grandchildren: Ryan Blechle and his wife, Katie, Michael Blechle and his wife, Alyssa, Paige Westhoff and her husband, Eric, Lexie Schneider and her husband, Ben and Bailey Harke; and seven great-grandchildren: Parker and Eva Westhoff, Augie and Louisa Blechle, Corbin and Jaxon Owings and Case Schneider; other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception School in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.