Rev. Edward Martin Geschke, age 85, of Plainfield, passed away peacefully Aug. 31, 2016. He was born in Melrose Park Dec. 26, 1930, the son of the late Martin and Emma Geschke.
Rev. Geschke is survived by his five children, Darlene (Brian) Thauland of Portland, Oregon, Martin (Rosemarie) Geschke of Joliet, Anthony (Karla) Geschke of Joliet, Dawn (Daniel) Wojnarowski of Joliet, and David (Jennifer) Geschke of Southlake, Texas; 10 grandchildren, Timothy Thauland, Angela (Rev. Karl) Hess, Benjamin Thauland, Andrew Geschke, Nathan Geschke, Lauren Geschke, Jessica (Kurt) Bendoraitis, Joshua Wojnarowski, Hannah Geschke and Leah Geschke; one great grandchild, Joseph Hess; one brother-in-law, August Filisha; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances M. Geschke (nee Filisha); his sister-in-law, Marilyn (Eugene) Cimino; brother-in-law, Michael Filisha; and sisters-in-law, Dina Filisha and Anna Strafaci.
After beginning a career as an accountant, Edward was called to the ministry in his 30s and was ordained in 1971. The first congregation he served was Trinity Lutheran Church in Weatherford, Texas. From there he was called to Peace Lutheran Church in Plainfield.
For several years, he simultaneously served Peace Lutheran and helped to serve Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bolingbrook, where he was a member since his retirement in 1998. Rev. Geschke served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-1956 and was the Plainfield village treasurer for many years.
Visitation was Sept. 3 from 4-8 p.m. at Overman-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 15219 S. Joliet Road, Plainfield. Funeral services were Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, 985 Lily Cache Lane, Bolingbrook. Interment: Plainfield Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Bethesda Lutheran Communities (14907 S. Eastern Ave., Plainfield, 815-436-1901, www.bethesdalutherancommunities.org), Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church (985 Lily Cache Lane, Bolingbrook, 630-759-5300, www.ds-lcms.org) or Joliet Area Community Hospice (250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, 815-740-4104, www.joliethospice.org).
For more information, visit www.overman-jones.com or call 815-436-9221.