Ruth Ann Hartke


HARTKE

HARTKE

BUCKLEY — Ruth Ann Hartke, 83, of Buckley, died at 3:06 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Buckley with the Rev. J. Kevin Wyckoff offici- ating. Visitation was from noon to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at the church and from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Baier Family Funeral Services in Buckley. Burial was in St. John’s Cemetery in rural Buckley.

She was born Sept. 1, 1942, in Watseka, the daughter of Chris and Erna Louise (Schumacher) Steiner. She married Keith A. Hartke on Aug. 10, 1963, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Buckley. He survives.

Also surviving are two children, Beth (David) Faircloth of Oak Park and Kevin (Samantha) Hartke of Sugar Land, Texas; three grandchildren, Zoey Hartke, Keenan Hartke and Kent Hartke; one sister-in-law, Carmeen Steiner of Clifton; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings — Elaine (Walter) Reiners, Paul (Donna) Steiner, Norman (Rosalie) (Joy) Steiner and Delbert Steiner.

Mrs. Hartke graduated from Buckley-Loda High School in 1960. She received a certificate in basic accounting from Illinois Commercial College in Champaign. She leveraged her talent and experience in a variety of roles for various employers, including Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul from 1987 to 1993 in civil service before later retiring from Herff Jones in Champaign.

Mrs. Hartke was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Buckley, where she participated in the prayer call tree and other committees throughout the years. While her children were in school, she was an active participant in the St. John’s Lutheran School PTL. In later years, she served as an election judge for Iroquois County. She enjoyed visiting with family and friends, baking, reading, playing euchre and sewing.

Memorials may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.

Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.