Blaine Harker

Blaine M. Harker, 76, Yorkville, IL passed away on February 23, 2011 as a result of heart valve replacement and bypass surgery.BORN: He was born on July 16, 1934 to Matthew and Isabelle (Baatde) in Langford, SD.EDUCATION: While Blaine was still a newborn, the family moved from Langford to start a new life in a Kaneville, IL. They continued to farm until his father’s passing two years later. Blaine began his schooling in area schools before the family moved to Yorkville and finished his education graduating with the class of 1952 from Yorkville High School.MARRIAGE: Blaine met and married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Shick, on June 12, 1954. They began a 30 year celebration of their relationship that tragically ended with her passing due to a lengthy illness. Then, what began as a friendship forged through the local sports booster program, became a new beginning for Blaine and his new wife, Mary Jean, when they were united in marriage on October 27, 1984. Their new beginning included living in Yorkville until 1993 when they moved to Shipshewana, IN. In September of 2001, they moved back to where they began in Yorkville, IL. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:Upon graduation from high school, Blaine worked at a service station for seven years and joined the Bristol Kendall Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter. He opened Southtown Texaco station in 1959. He opened his own independent gas and service station eight years later on Hydraulic Street. Blaine was involved in civic activities developing Blaine Street and the surrounding subdivision in the 1970’s, worked as a hospice caregiver, and a Kendall County Food Pantry volunteer. Blaine also worked at both, Kendall-Grundy F.S. and Meadowvale, Inc. Blaine added to his resume by working at Circle Center School as a janitor before moving to Indiana in 1993. In Indiana, he again worked as a part-time janitor for a local church before moving back to Yorkville in 2001. His most recent jobs were working at New Life Church and at the Senior Center.LIFE NOTES: Blaine avidly followed many sports including baseball and softball. He enjoyed playing cards, riding his bikes, and generally, hanging out with family and friends.SURVIVORS: Blaine is survived by his children and grandchildren: Beth Harker of Hainesville, IL; Wendy Scroggins and her daughter, Annalice Harker of Tucson, AZ; Kent (Laura) Harker and their children Brandon, Lindsay, Adam and Stephen all of Modesto, CA; and Randy (Jill) Harker and their children Johnny and Danny of Yorkville. He is survived by two stepchildren and grandchildren: Greg (Robin) Owens and family of Yorkville and Roger (Jackie) Owens and family of Montgomery. Further, Blaine is survived by two siblings: Joyce (Jim) Zitt of Yorkville, and David (Mary) Harker of Dayton, OH. He has many nieces and nephews, six great-grandchildren, and a family of friends. PRECEDED:Blaine was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Elizabeth; and his second wife, Jean. VISITATION / FUNERAL A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 27th at 3:00 pm at the Yorkville Congregation Church in Yorkville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kendall County Food Pantry or the Kendall County Forest Preserve Natural Areas Volunteer Program.MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in his name to benefit the Kendall County Food Pantry or the Kendall County Forest Preserve Natural Areas Volunteer Program. Checks may be made to the "Blaine Harker Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

The family will host a memorial service on Sunday Feb 27, 2011 at the YOrkville Congregational Church at 3:00 PM.