Donald Harke

Donald Edward Harke, 66, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, January 30, 2012 at OSF St. Francis Hospital as a complication from lung cancer surgery. Memorial service will be 6:30 p.m. Friday, February 3, 2012, at Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, February 3 at Ottawa Funeral Home. Donald was born December 11, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois, to Edward and Mary Jane (Kerwin) Harke. He married Debbie Carretto May 20, 1967 at St. Columba Church. He was a 1965 graduate of Ottawa High School. Don retired after 42 years at the Ottawa Dental Lab. He loved to garden, cook, fish, and do woodworking. He enjoyed traveling and was an avid Dolphins and converted Cubs fan. He is survived by his loving wife, Debbie; one son, Eric (Heidi Oertle) of Riverside, Illinois; and one grandchild, Octavia Harke. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Bonnie P. Harke. Memorials may be directed to the family or the charity of choice.