Bruce James Hartke, 73, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service to follow on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Bruce was born on September 30, 1952 at St Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, the son of William and Valeda (VanHorn) Hartke. His grandparents were Luther and Bonnie VanHorn and William and Elizabeth Hartke.
He was graduate of St. Anthony Grade School and St. Anthony High School Class of 1970. He then graduated from Manpower Business Training Institute in St. Louis, Missouri. Bruce married his high school sweetheart Dixie Probst at St. Anthony Church on July 7, 1973.
Bruce retired after a long career at Pettys/Quebecor/World Color/Quad Graphics as a Pressroom Supervisor after 42 years. He was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Cubs fan and loved Rock and Roll music. His passion was hunting and fishing at his cabin in the woods and spending time with his dogs, Cocoa and Hazel. In his younger years, he loved muscle cars and his pride and joy were the several GTOs that he owned. He also loved to travel, especially the many trips to Las Vegas. Bruce’s most treasured moments included any time spent with his grandkids, whether it was at the woods, the many pool days or family card games. He loved going to all their sporting events and ballet and dance recitals. Bruce was also a lifelong member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.
Bruce’s family includes his wife, Dixie Hartke; children, Shawn (Kindra) Hartke, Mandy (Bart) Wiedman, and Jessica Clayton; grandchildren, Brandon Hartke, Ty and Maddox Wiedman, and Olivia Clayton; siblings, Vicki (Ron) Reed, Nancy (Gene) Koester, Karen (Larry) Wendt, and Brian (Delores) Hartke; siblings-in-law, David (Marlene) Probst and Cindy (Terry) Dalton.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Vicki Reed; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ray and Virginia Probst; brothers-in-law, Ron Reed and Gene Koester; and sister-in-law, Marlene Probst.
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