Verne Wiekne

Verne Wienke

HOMER – Verne Eugene Wienke, 90, of Homer passed away at 1:32 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 23, 2014) at his home.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Broadlands, with Rev. John Sharp officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. Burial with military rites accorded will be in GAR Cemetery in Homer.

Verne was born June 6, 1924, in Homer, the son of Ernest and Emma (Rahn) Wienke. He married Barbara Lee on Dec. 7, 1946, in Homer. She preceded him in death on May 16, 1990.

Survivors include his two daughters, Cynthia Robbins of Danville and Anita (Kenny) Whitt of Homer; three grandchildren, Heather (Garrett) Douglass, Cory Whitt and Roger (Hilary) Whitt; four great-grandchildren, Blake Douglass, Brennen Douglass, Cameron Douglass and Micaela Childress; three sisters, Lois Swan of Aurora, Irma Clem and Orthalyne Taylor, both of Homer; several nieces and nephews; and his caregiver, Crystal.

He was also preceded in death by three brothers, one sister and a granddaughter, Andrea Robbins.

Verne was a member of Homer American Legion Post 290, Elks Lodge, Champaign County Farm Bureau and Immanuel Lutheran Church.

He served in the Army during World War II, "the greatest generation."

His high school basketball team won county tournaments five years in a row, during which time he was on the team for four years, most notably in 1941.

Verne was a rural mail carrier for 35 years in Homer and St. Joseph and a member of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association.

He was an avid Cardinals fan, loved Fox News and Illini basketball and was a proud member of the Republican Party.

He enjoyed bowling, golfing and EI baseball for several years.

Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or Danville VA.