Darlene Birkner Recker

Darlene Birkner Recker (nee Juenger), 90, of New Athens, IL, received her promotion to Heaven on Monday, January 30, 2023. She was born December 22, 1932 in Belleville, IL to Leonard and Armeta Juenger. Darlene married Harold W. Birkner on April 2, 1951. After Harold’s passing in 1999, she married Vernon Recker on October 19, 2002.

Darlene began Beauty School at the age of 16 and made people look and feel beautiful for 67 years. Her motto was “if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life”. Darlene was a member of St. John’s UCC in New Athens, IL, where she taught Sunday School and served on Board of Christian Ed, Women’s Guild, and Church Council. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan who rarely missed a game on TV and would often fall asleep to the evening games on the radio. She was known for her cooking and baking. You could always find two or three of her pies at church events. Family favorites were fried chicken, pies, coffee cakes, carmel rolls, chocolate chip cookies, rosettes and peanut squares.

Survivors left to cherish her memory include her husband, Vernon Recker; children, Karla Drysdale, Byron (Chris Goedeker) Birkner, Cheryl (Bill) Blalock and Kevin (Cindy) Birkner; grandchildren, Robin (Chris) Pieper, Nichole (Todd) Kirk, Tonya (Brian) Cabral, Anthony (Kayla) Sabat, Beth, Brock, Stone and Navy Birkner; great-grandchildren, Emma Pieper, Harrison, Mason, Jackson and Chloe Cabral; brother-in-laws, Leonard Mullins and Dale Reuss; sister-in-laws, Bernadette Dehn, Elaine Jones and Joann Pence; stepchildren, Carla (Rick Braun) Wirth, Mike (Susan) Recker, Tom Recker; step-grandchildren; Greg Wirth, Becky Vogt, Amber, Kristen, Steven, Kristopher, Garrick, Matthew, Kaylie and Megan Recker, Kara Gum and Misty Volner; numerous step-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other extended family.

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Armeta Juenger; husband, Harold W. Birkner; sisters, Rosalie Mullins and Myra Reuss, and brother, Clyde Juenger; step-son, Steven Recker.

Visitation will be held Monday, February 6, 2023 from 10:00am to 12:00pm in Lake View Funeral Home, 5000 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights, IL 62208. Funeral service will be held on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 12:00pm in the chapel at Lake View funeral home. Interment to follow in Lake View Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions can be made to St. John’s UCC, New Athens, IL.