Charles E. Koke

He was born on June 2, 1933 in Pleasant Plains, IL the son of the late Henry E. and Tressie Isabella (Taylor) Koke. He married L. Joyce Kingsley in 1959 in Lincoln, IL and she survives.

Mr. Koke was a fireman with the Springfield Fire Department for 30+ years, retiring on July 21, 1993 as Deputy Chief of the Fire Safety Division. For the last 20 years, he was a member at Westside Christian Church in Springfield. Prior to that, he had been a member at South Side Christian Church.

Besides his wife Joyce, he is survived by a daughter Debbie (husband Frank) Guerro of Springfield, a son, Blake Koke of Springfield, 3 grandchildren, Melinda Hoagland of Springfield, Brian (wife Lisa) Guerro of Colorado, and Reece Koke of Springfield, 2 great-grandchildren, Brittany and Jordan Turner, both of Springfield, and 2 sisters, Dorothy Hughes of Springfield and Wilma Helen Miers of Nevada.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Robert Henry Koke.

Services are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd., Springfield where visitation will be held on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 from 4 pm until time of the funeral service at 6 pm. The funeral service will also be held at the funeral home with Rev. Vaughn Beeman officiating. Cremation rites will follow.

Memorials may be made to Lake Springfield Christian Assembly.

Please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.