Joseph A. O'Rourke Obituary (1925 - 2018)

Joseph A. O'Rourke, 92, of Bloomington, formerly of Downs, passed away at 11:40 p.m. Monday, January 29, 2018 at Martin Health Center, Bloomington. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday, February 2, 2018 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Downs, with Rev. Michael Pica officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be for 1/2 hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Downs or to the Bishop Edward W. O'Rourke #10967 Council of the Knights of Columbus, Downs. He was born March 21, 1925 in Chicago, the son of Patrick and Frieda Schroeder O'Rourke. He married Marianne Nelson on August 2, 1958 in Bloomington and she preceded him in death on May 1, 2012. Surviving are seven children, Mary Katherine (Gary) Kurtenbach, Brian Joseph (Carrie) O'Rourke and Mark Edward (Rita) O'Rourke, all of Downs; JoAnn (James) Schafer, Quincy; Stephen Patrick (Stephanie) O'Rourke, Downs; Colleen O'Rourke, Pekin; and Susan Marie (Andrew) Walter, Bloomington; 15 grandchildren, Christopher Kurtenbach, Katherine Hart and Kimberly McLain; Megan, William, Benjamin, Robert, Sarah and Johnna O'Rourke; Felicia Hughes; Vanessa Newberry; Delaney and Makenna O'Rourke; and Olivia and Maddux Walter; and five great-grandchildren, Brenden Hughes, Raelyn Hartsock, Tayla Newberry and Madeline and William Hart. He was preceded in death by a sister, Pauline Mitchell. Joe was a lifelong farmer, having taken over the family's farming operations at age 16. He was a member of the National Farmers Organization and was past president of the local chapter. Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Mary's Catholic Church, Downs where he was the former Parish Council President and Trustee. He was a loving father and grandfather who will be deeply missed.