By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
18 Comments
  • Visitation

    Thursday, July 23, 2020

    4:00 pm-8:00 pm and

    Friday, July 24, 2020

    8:00 am-9:30 am

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Service

    Friday, July 24, 2020

    10:00 am

    St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Rick W. Bloemker, 65, of Highland, IL, passed away Friday, July 17, 2020 at Barnes Jewish Hospital with his family by his side.

    Rick was born on October 25, 1954 to William and Estelle (nee Rutz) Bloemker in Highland, IL. On April 19, 1975, he married Marilyn Carrillon at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL.

    Rick served with the Highland Fire Department for 38 ½ years, 20 years with his son; spending the last eight years as the Fire Chief.  A true servant to his community, he retired at the end of 2018.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1580, St. Paul Catholic Church, and the Cursillo movement.  He was the Plant Maintenance Manager at Dow Jones for 37 years and was a self-employed carpet layer for many years.

    Rick loved St. Louis Blues Hockey since day one and followed them faithfully with his kids.  One of his favorite past-times was caring for his fish pond.  Rick always followed his daughter and granddaughters throughout their Cheer programs, supporting them along the way.  He was honored by the role of Day Care Mother’s Helper and assisted the children as the School Bus; with a motto of “You put them in it, I’ll get them to it!”  He loved his family with all his heart, he loved his community, and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

    He is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn Bloemker, Highland, IL; children, Meredith (Wade) Battle, Titusville, FL, Jay (Jill) Bloemker, Highland, IL; grandchildren, Madison Isaak, Mikayla and Kylie Bloemker; mother-in-law, Mary Ann Carrillon; sister-in-law, Shirley Bellm; brother-in-law, Ron Wagner; several nieces and nephews.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Estelle Bloemker; sister, Barbara Wagner; father-in-law, Walter Carrillon; brother-in-law, Denis Bellm.

    Memorials may be made to Highland Fire Department or St. Paul Catholic Church Capital Campaign.

    Visitation:  Thursday, July 23, 2020, 4:00 pm-8:00 pm and Friday, July 24, 2020, 8:00 am-9:30 am, Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Mass of Christian Burial:  Friday, July 24, 2020, 10:00 am, St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

    Clergy: Rev. Fr. Pat Jakel, Pastor, St. Paul Catholic Church

    Interment: St. Joseph Cemetery, Highland, IL

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

18 Condolences
 
  1. Sally Rehberger / July 18, 2020 at 12:14 pm

    Marilyn, I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. Rick was a great person who served our community well for so long. Rick’s grandpa, Al, was my bus driver when I was a child, and he rode the bus with him many times. Again, I am so sorry, you have my sympathy.

  2. Mary beth Broughton / July 18, 2020 at 12:27 pm

    My thoughts prayers and love goes to the family. He was a good man good friend who enjoyed life his family and friends. He will be greatly missed

  3. Connie & Bob Knebel / July 19, 2020 at 7:53 am

    Marilyn, So sorry for your loss. Rick will be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

  4. T hoffmann / July 19, 2020 at 8:13 pm

    Our deepest sympathy to your family.
    Rick was an outstanding example of what it means to be a good Christian.
    May he rest in peace.
    Terri and Tom Hoffmann

  5. jerry and nancee knebel / July 20, 2020 at 6:14 am

    Marilyn and family so sorry for your lossRick was a great guy and a great asset to his community and his family please take care and will keep you and your family in my prayers.

  6. Gloria Hodge / July 20, 2020 at 6:24 am

    Sending my condolences to you and the family Meredith.
    😇 May he RIH with all the other Angels 👼

  7. Dow Jones Pressroom Employees / July 20, 2020 at 2:08 pm

    Marilyn and family, We were all saddened to hear of Rick’s passing. He was good friend and coworker for many years and will be missed. So sorry for your loss.

  8. Jacintha Robinson / July 20, 2020 at 5:23 pm

    Marilyn, so sorry to hear of the paasing of Rick. My prayers are with you and the family.

  9. Joyce Downey / July 21, 2020 at 6:30 pm

    Marilyn, Meredith and Jay, we are so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. He was a great Bloemker cousin that I will always remember…. childhood visits on the farm…his wedding…. other weddings and family reunions. He will be missed. Please accept our sincere sympathy.
    Joyce and Dave Downey

  10. Kathy Ottensmeier / July 22, 2020 at 8:03 am

    Marilyn and family we are so sorry for your loss.
    You are in our thoughts and prayers. He was a great guy
    Gervase and Kathy Ottensmeier

  11. Sandy Bonvie / July 22, 2020 at 11:36 am

    Dear Marilyn & Family,
    My deepest sympathy for your loss. I’ve only seen Rick from afar at all the cheerleading events at HHS over the years but my friendship with Marilyn will always be special.! Miss seeing you but retirement is great.
    Again my thoughts and prayers to your family.
    Sandy Bonvie
    Former MD Cheer Coach

  12. Peter Tucker / July 22, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Dear Bloemker family,
    I had many good times with Rick when he helped at the Knights of Columbus bingo each week. He was loving and compassionate man. We are all blessed by knowing him. May he rest in Gods peace.

  13. Shai, PAige and Payton Foster / July 23, 2020 at 9:01 am

    Marilyn and family- you will never know the impact you and Rick made on my family. My girls adored him. They thought he always reminded him of their grandpa. Such a kind soul. One of the good guys that will always be remembered by so many kids you both raised as your own with such love and care. I thank you both for taking such good care of my kids. They love you both and we are just heart broken by this news. I hope you and your family gain the strength to get through this. I will always remember his kind smile. I’m so sorry to all your family who loved him so much. You all have my sincere sympathy. Please take care of each other.

  14. C. Wison / July 23, 2020 at 11:06 am

    To the BLOEMKER FAMILY in their time of grief, I’m truly sorry for your loss.
    Please find comfort in the words recorded in (Psalm 34:18

  15. Timothy Goldsbury / July 23, 2020 at 12:10 pm

    To the Bloemker family;
    Marylin:

    Ricks passing will indeed be a great loss to you and the rest of the family as well as the Highland community. He was a dedicated and unselfish person who was always there when needed.

    Rick, a valuable member of the DJ/Highland management team, a civic leader, consummate family man and a person I enjoyed working with. One of those rare individuals who goes about his responsibilities without expecting public accolades.

    Wishing you and the family the best the future holds;

    Best Regards: Tim Goldsbury

  16. LaVerne Don Noeltner / July 23, 2020 at 9:05 pm

    Marilyn, With heavy hearts accept our sympathy he will be missed. Rick was a great man our prayers are with you at this sad time.Thank you so much for helping our granddaughter with cheer she enjoyed cheer and you as her teacher so much.Great Memories.

    Don LaVerne Noeltner

  17. Don and Gail Vonhatten / July 24, 2020 at 9:06 am

    Marilyn and family, so sorry to hear about the passing of Rick. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

  18. Ray Donna Moore / August 1, 2020 at 10:28 am

    Marilyn and family. So sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayer.

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