Mr. Poelker was the owner and operator of Poelker’s Garage and Towing Company, which has been in business for over 100 years. He was a member of the Operation of Engineers and was a volunteer fireman for many years. Floyd was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Floyd loved spending time at his condo at the Lake of the Ozarks. He was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran.
Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Anna, nee Weinerth, Poelker; a son, Floyd Poelker Jr; two sisters, Helen (Louis) Olvitt and Betty (Eugene) Williams; his father-in-law, George Robben; mother-in-law, Emelia Robben; sisters-in-law, Alyce Robben and Marcella (Louis) Netemeyer; brothers-in-law, Vincent Robben, George Robben, Fred Bohnenkemper, Cletus Wiedner, Harold Herbert, Alvin “Pete” Kniepmann and George Henken; and numerous friends.
Surviving are his best friend and love of his life for 65 years, Emilia Louise, nee Robben, Poelker, whom he married on April 11, 1953;
six children, Dean Poelker (fiancée, Teri Auer) of Belleville, IL, Nadine (Doug) Black of Freeburg, IL, Greg (Cheryl) Poelker of Belleville, IL, Barbara (Bruce) Augustine of Frisco, TX, Kathleen Poelker (Rick Miller) of Swansea, IL, Helen (Dave) Siebenberger of Waterloo, IL;
12 grandchildren, Melinda (Derek) Morgan of Freeburg, IL, Dan Poelker of Phoenix, AZ, Caitlin (Clay) Weier of Albers, IL, Abby Poelker of Belleville, IL, Jennifer (Josh) Schmitz of Waterloo, IL, Jessica (Alex) Schmidt of Waterloo, IL, Stephanie (Todd) Rick of Waterloo, IL, Curtis Augustine of Frisco, TX, Christopher Augustine of Frisco, TX, Lindsay Miller of Swansea, IL, Casey Miller (fiancé, Nick Seward) of St. Louis, MO, and Jami Green of Swansea, IL;
six great-grandchildren, Kallena and Annaliese Morgan, Faith Seward, Elliot Schmitz, Bailey Rick and Axel Weier;
niece, Lois Ann Linton;
nephew, Louis Olvitt;
sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Frances and Carol Robben, Florence Weidner, Mary Ann Bohnenkemper, Margaret Robben, Eleanor Henken, Rose Herbert, Frank and Patti Huels, and Theresa Kniepmann;
numerous nieces and nephews;
and close friends.
The family wishes to thank all the visitors who have taken time to visit Floyd in his home over the last year and a half. Thanks to the caregivers, Chris Hamann and Brian Hamilton who helped care for Floyd, and to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, to Hospice of Southern Illinois, or to the American Heart Association. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. Jack McEvilly and Fr. Elmar Mauer, OMI, concelebrating.
Burial with military honors will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.