Roy Louis Monke

Roy Louis Monke

Roy Louis Monke passed away at 10:12 a.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, in Mt. Olive, IL. He was 95 years old.

Roy L. Monke was born on August 9, 1928 at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, the fourth child of Adolph and Alma (Niemann) Monke. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mt. Olive, IL. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School and graduated from Mt. Olive High School in 1946. After graduation from high school, Roy enlisted in the U. S. Army. Following basic training, parachute and glider training, he was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division as a paratrooper and for the following two years he was stationed in Japan as a member of the occupation forces. After discharge, he was a member of the Army Reserves and was called back to duty during the Korean conflict. He was sent to Germany in the 485th Engineer Battalion, and, as Master Sergeant, given command of platoons with defensive missions.

Upon return to civilian life in 1952, Roy joined his brother, Walt, in the family company, General Farm Improvement Services, providing a service to farmers for improvement of their land, soil, buildings and animal care facilities. In 1960, he became sole operator, fourth generation, of the family farm north of Mt. Olive, in grain, hog and cattle production, retiring in 1989.

On September 7, 1952, Roy married Dolores Droste of Mt. Olive. Roy and Dolores enjoyed 51 years of marriage and were blessed with three children and seven grandchildren. Dolores preceded him in death. Roy had eight great-grandchildren. On December 4, 2005, Roy married Nina Stevenson of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He enjoyed his extended family. She preceded him in death.

Roy was very active in the community and at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was elected to the Mt. Olive School District School Board from 1961-1973, serving as president for four of those years. He served on many church boards through the years, including the 1973-1974 building committee for the Immanuel Lutheran Church Educational Building.

He is survived by three children: Donald (Priscilla) Monke of Plain City, OH, Carol (Jeff) Rosenthal of New Palestine, IN, and Jim (Tamara Resler) Monke of Washington, D.C., seven grandchildren: Travis (Irene Calboli) Monke of Singapore, Holly (Mark) Eades of Plain City, OH, Nathan (Jennifer) Monke of Mt. Olive, Katie (Kasey) Bradley of Denver, CO, Susan (Luke Amos) Rosenthal of Indianapolis, IN, and Connor Monke and Ryan Monke of Washington, D.C., seven great grandchildren: Alessandro and Allegra Monke of Singapore, Michaela, Danielle and Jacqueline Eades of Plain City, OH, Ava Bradley of Denver, CO, and Oliver Monke of Mt. Olive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives: Dolores Monke and Nina Stevenson, great-granddaughter, Anna Dolores Monke, siblings Evelyn Witzgall, Leslie (Bonnie) Monke, and Walter (Lucille) Monke, and in-laws Vernon and Alice Droste.

Visitation will take place at Becker and Son Funeral Home in Mt. Olive, IL on Sunday, November 12, 2023, from 5 - 7 pm. A second visitation will take place at Immanuel Lutheran Church from 10 - 11 am. on Monday, November 13, 2023. Services, officiated by Reverend James Ritter, will begin at 11 am. Interment will take place at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Mt. Olive, IL. Lunch for friends and family will follow interment at the Immanuel Lutheran Education Building in Mt. Olive, IL.

Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Olive Academic Foundation and the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Becker and Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at beckerandson.com.

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