He was born March 14, 1923 in Springfield, the son of Charles Lee and Lillian Price Luker. He married Dixie Farris Boyer on August 19, 1962, and she preceded him in death, March 5, 2002. His parents and two brothers also preceded him in death.
Prior to World War II, Ted worked for the Illinois State Register. He enlisted in the United States Navy Air Corp on Dec. 12, 1942 and served at Lambert Field in St. Louis, Smartt Field in Portage Des Sioux, MO, Murray State Teachers College at Murray, KY, Marquette University, Curtis Wright Field in Milwaukee, WI and the University of Georgia at Athens. He received an honorable discharge from the United States Naval Air Corp on July 14, 1944. Ted continued his military service by enlisting in the United States Army on Dec 14, 1944. He served at Ft. Sheridan in Chicago, Camp Hood in Texas, Fort Meade in Maryland, and Camp Stoneman in California where he was selected to teach a class on “What to Expect in the South Sea Islands”. He sailed on the Altoona Victory ship to the Marshall Islands, Palau Islands, Caroline Islands and finally disembarked at Tacloban, Leyte in the Philippines. On June 11, 1945, he was attached to the Anti-Tank Company, 21st Regiment, 24th Division where he engaged the enemy at Davao Mindanao, Tirrill Mindanao, Taloma Mindanao, and Davao Mindanao, P.I. In September 1945, Ted was assigned to armament demolition at the Kure Naval Base in Honsho, Japan. He received an honorable discharge at Jefferson Barracks on March 1, 1946.
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n honor of Ted’s service to his country, he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, Philippine Liberation Medal with one Bronze Star, Asiatic Pacific Victory Commemorative Medal, WW II Victory Medal, WW II Army of Occupation Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.
Ted attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL from 1946-1948 and then went to work as an inspector at Allis Chalmers Manufacturing Co. in Springfield. He then went to work at the City Engineer’s Office in Springfield, 1948-1952, and later served as the Plant Manager for the Atlas Transit Mix Concrete Co which supplied all of the concrete for the State of Illinois Office Building (now known as the Stratton Building). In 1957, he went to work with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Consulting Engineers where he was worked on several projects, including the toll roads around Chicago as well as Chatham Rd and Bruns Ln here in Springfield.
Ted was a member of Calvary Temple in Springfield, and was proud to have attended the Honor Flight to the war memorials in Washington, DC.
Surviving are four sons; Dr. Greg (Kathy) Boyer, Jeff (Mary Jane) Boyer, Dr. John “Jack” (Kristin) Luker, and Stephen “Steve” (Leanne) Luker all of Springfield; ten grandsons; Dr. Andrew Boyer, Matthew (Michelle) Boyer, Mark (Aimee) Boyer, Patrick Boyer, Jacob Luker, Theodore Luker, Clayton Luker, Robert Luker, Samuel Luker, and Joseph Luker, four granddaughters; Lillian Paige (Kyle) Peterman, Alison Boyer, Grace Luker and Katie Luker, two great grandchildren; Madeleine Boyer and Ryan Boyer, his sister; Marilyn Luker Sullivan Ratcliff of Springfield and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd. where visitation will be from 4-7 pm Monday, June 16, 2014 and where funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, June 17, 2014 with Rev. Mark Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery where full military honors will be provided by the Department of Defense and the Inter-Veterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight c/o 57 Country Place, Springfield, IL 62703
Please visit the “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.
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