LaVerne B. Bloemker

LaVerne B. Bloemker, age 81 of Hamel, IL, died Friday, September 1, 2023, at her home in Hamel, IL. She was born on Friday, September 26, 1941, in Alhambra, IL, the daughter of Melvin A. "Buddy" and Clara Helene Sophie (nee Suhre) Greear. On Saturday, December 17, 1960, she married Lawrence Clarence Bloemker. She was a member of Salem United Church of Christ and the Hitz Memorial Home Auxiliary. LaVerne was born in Highland, IL; grew up in rural Alhambra (near the Worden "Y"); and graduated from Staunton High School in 1959. She had worked for the Alhambra Telephone Company and Granite City Army Depot prior to marriage. After her marriage, they lived in Alhambra, moved to Utah for a year and then to Hamel, IL for the rest of her life. She and her husband operated Chuck's Convenience Store and Conoco Gas Station in Hamel for 28 years, closing in 1999. LaVerne worked at SIU-E for some 10 years in the Admissions Office and as Administration Clerk for the SIU-E Police Department. She had a great love for ancestry, especially local history and genealogy. She even wrote a column on Hamel history for the Madison County Chronical. She volunteered and was an employee at the Madison County Archival Library. Traveling was a fun thing for her, trips to the Holy Lands, Ireland, and Yosemite National Park were favorites. LaVerne was known for her baking, especially her cookies. She was a big Dallas Cowboys fan. Her collection of glassware - vases & bowls was extensive. In the 1970's-'80's she served as Village Clerk for Hamel. Her son, Larry, is Mayor of Hamel and her son, Gary, is Assistant Fire Chief. She also volunteered at her church and at Hitz Memorial Home. Survivors include: Son - Larry Lee Bloemker, Hamel, IL Son - Gary Lee (Fiancée Amy Rogier) Bloemker, Hamel, IL Brother - Robert (Judy) Greear, Godfrey, IL. She was preceded in death by: Father - Melvin A. "Buddy" Greear - Died 10/13/2004 Mother - Clara Helene Sophie Greear (nee Suhre) - Died 10/02/1991 Husband - Lawrence Clarence "Chuck" Bloemker - Died 9/13/2004 Brother - Melvin Rudolph "Buddy" Greear - Died 9/28/2013 Sister - Betty Ann Keller - Died 8/31/2004. Arrangements are being handled by Dauderman Mortuary in Alhambra, IL. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Dauderman Mortuary in Hamel, IL and from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at Salem United Church of Christ in Alhambra, IL. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at Salem United Church of Christ in Alhambra, IL, with Rev. Jeremy R. Wood, Pastor, officiating. Interment will be at Salem Cemetery in Alhambra, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Hitz Memorial Home or Salem United Church of Christ.

LaVerne B. Bloemker

September 26, 1941 - September 1, 2023