Joe R. Zielke, age 74, of Rozetta, Illinois passed away on Sunday October 25, 2020 at his residence in Rozetta, Illinois at 12:05 am. Joe was born on May 16, 1946 in Monmouth and is the son of Frank and Lucile May Welch Zielke. Joe attended grade school in rural Henderson County and graduated from Union High School in 1964. He then attended one year at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. After schooling Joe nobly served his country in the Army and was a Viet Nam veteran. Joe married Beverly M. Bailey on March 28, 1970 in Biggsville, Illinois and she currently survives him. After service, Joe first worked at Butler Manufacturing in Galesburg, Illinois as a pressman. He then began farming his family farm in Rozetta Township which he has farmed in Grain and Hogs for his entire career in Henderson County.
Joe served a number of years as a Rozetta Township Trustee and always was interested and active in community and its affairs. He and Beverly helped to start Faith Bible Church in Oquawka, Illinois and currently are members of Rozetta Baptist Church in rural Little York. Joe has refurbished most of the interior of his family’s farm home and loves to cook for his wife
and family. He loved to host Pizza Parties at his Rozetta home on many
occasions.
Surviving Joe is his wife of 50 years, Beverly M. Zielke of Rozetta, three sons, Roger and Stephanie Zielke of Huxley, Iowa; Tom and Susan Zielke of Champaign, Illinois; and Tim and Susie Zielke of Grayslake, Illinois. There are eight granddaughters, Anna, Allison, Abigail, Audrey, Ruth, Maddie, Olivia, and Eliana and one grandson, Josiah all surviving him. Joe has one sister, Karen Zielke of Prescott, Arizona, and two brothers, Karl Zielke of Clyde, North Carolina and David Zielke of Leland, Illinois. He is preceded in his death by his parents, Frank and Lucille, and his brother, Guy Leslie Zielke.
A funeral service is planned by his family at 10:30 am on Thursday October 29, 2020 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, Illinois. Friends may call and pay their respects all day on Wednesday October 28th at the Funeral Home. Interment with Military honors will follow at Reed Cemetery on Highway 164 near Rozetta. A memorial fund is being established for the benefit of Reed Cemetery. To leave a remembrance or for more information please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com
