John BehnkeJohn BehnkeJohn A. Behnke, 84, of Bloomington died Nov. 13, 2008, at BroMenn Regional Medical Center in Normal.
He was born Sept. 24, 1924, in Bloomington, the son of John William Behnke and Margaret Bertram Behnke. He married Josephine Davis on May 7, 1950, in Astoria. She preceded him in death on July 7, 1989. He later married Beverly Giermann on Aug. 3, 2002, in Bloomington. She survives.
Also surviving are two sons, John G. (and Diana) Behnke of Normal and Gevan J. (and Mary Jo) Behnke of Springfield; one daughter, Rhoby (and Randy) Hamblin of Bloomington; his wife, Beverly’s children, Pamela S. (and Michael) Brown of Normal, Peggy (and Thomas) Abbott of Bloomington and Gregory S. (and Teresa) Walters of Peoria Heights; one sister, Jean Flessner of Marshall, Mich.; two grandchildren; 10 additional grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and was a millwright at Ralston Purina/Cargill for 35 years.
He was a lifelong resident of Bloomington.
He was involved in Boy Scouts for many years and also at the troop and district level; American Legion Baseball program; Sound of Illinois Chorus Barbershop Quartet for over 50 years; Kiwanis Golden K for many years; and played with Bloomington Senior Mens’ Golf Association for over 20 years.
He was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church and a 60-year member of the church choir, and the Studebaker Club. Most recently, he was the chairman of the 150th anniversary committee for Trinity Lutheran Church.
Services were held Monday at his church with Pastor Thomas Wirsing officiating. Burial was in East Lawn Cemetery in Bloomington. Military rites were accorded by the Honor Guard of Carl S. Martin Post 635 and Louis E. Davis Post 56 American Legion. Kibler-Smith Memorial Home was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to his church.