Archie R. Bloemker (82) of Odell, formerly of Joliet

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Published on March 14 2018 2:48 pm

Archie R. Bloemker, 82, of Odell, IL, formerly of Joliet, IL, passed away at 6:45 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2018 in Odell, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 18 at Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. 4th St, in Effingham. Burial will be in Dieterich Cemetery in Dieterich, IL. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made in loving memory of Archie to the First Christian Church, 1701 E. Laraway Road, Joliet, IL 60433, or to Cornerstone Services, Inc., 777 Joyce Road, Joliet, IL 60436.

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Archie was born on May 2, 1935, in Union Township, Effingham County, IL, the son of Herman and Rosa (Gephart) Bloemker. Archie married Bonnie J. Newman, on October 28, 1956, in Joliet, IL, and to that union four children were born. Archie graduated from Teutopolis High School and went to Joliet to work at Caterpillar Tractor Company in 1954 where he retired after 30 years. Archie spent many hours working on cars and motorcycles and enjoyed both modes of transportation. His marriage to Liz Smoot-Jones ended shortly after his lifechanging accident in 1984. Since then, Archie spent over 25 years participating in Cornerstone Services, enjoyed working word search puzzles, and reading the Bible and other papers. He was a member of First Christian Church in Joliet. The family wishes to acknowledge his daughter Melba and her family for years of caring for Archie in their home, his sister Zelma Hasselbring and her husband, and the many individuals and groups who offered support for Archie during those years.

Archie is survived by his former wife, Bonnie Bloemker of Rockdale, IL; children, Melba (Mike) Groves of Minooka, IL, Valerie (Joel) Sprenger of Mississauga, Ontario, Wendy Bloemker of Rockdale, IL, and Scott (Colleen) Bloemker of Indianapolis, IN; grandchildren, Stephanie (James) Connolly of Vancouver, British Columbia, Katie Groves, Sarah (fiancé, John Stapleton) Groves, and David Groves, all of Minooka, IL, Peter (Amanda) Groves of Dwight, IL, Victoria “Vickie” Sprenger of Mississauga, Ontario, and Adam Bloemker and Andrew Bloemker both of Indianapolis, IN; sisters, Zelma Hasselbring of Joliet, IL and Arlene Olmstead of Danville, IL; brothers, Norman (Fern) Bloemker of Dallas, GA, and Ralph (Henrietta) Bloemker of Hot Springs Village, AR; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law, Robert Hasselbring and Jack Olmstead; and great-nephew, Richard Zumbahlen III.