Melba Rose Rieke

Melba Rose (Riegel) Rieke, 83, of Bonfield, passed away on Friday (May 8, 2015) at Faith Place in Danforth. She was born May 27, 1931, in Salina Township, the daughter of Ernest and Rosella (Lehnus) Riegel. She married Dale Vernon Rieke on April 19, 1952, at the Evangelical United Brethren Church (now Bonfield Evangelical United Methodist Church in Bonfield). He preceded her in death on Dec. 15, 2010. Survivors include sons, Larry and Kathy (O'Connor) Rieke, of Zionsville, Ind., and Alan Rieke and Jennifer Mithchell, of Custer Park; daughters, Linda and Tom Willibey, of Kankakee, and Cindy and Mike Colston, of Cary, N.C.; sister, Darlene Charter, of Bonfield; brother-in-law, Arden and Pat Rieke, of Dwight; sister-in-law, Carol and William Hemenover, of Dwight; seven grandchildren, Matt Willibey, of Chicago, Alexa, Jake and Jordan Colston, of Cary, N.C., Sarah and Peter Schlifke, of Zionsville, Ind., Tyler and Natalie Rieke, of Baltimore, Md., Conner Rieke of Zionsville, Ind.; and two great-grandchildren, William and Emily Schlifke, of Zionsville, Ind. In addition to her husband, preceding her in death were her parents; infant sister, Geraldine Riegel; daughter, Sharon Rieke; and brother-in-law, Jerry Charter. Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home in Kankakee. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, also at the funeral home, with the Rev. Melvin Nielsen officiating. Burial will take place in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bonfield. Memorials may be made to Maple Grove Cemetery, Bonfield Evangelical United Methodist Church, or Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth. Melba was the secretary for the administration board committee and the membership recorder in her church for many years. She also kept records for the Maple Grove Cemetery. Melba enjoyed her genealogy recording in her family tree books. The past two and a half years, Melba has participated and enjoyed activities, devotions, listening to music and visiting every flower in the backyard at the dementia unit, Faith Place. She leaves behind many friends, including the staff and residents at Faith Place, with lots of her smiles and entertaining comments. First and foremost, Melba was happiest caring in every way for her family and being the best wife and mother she could be.

Melba Rose Rieke

May 27, 1931 - May 8, 2015