Russell J. "Rut" Monke

February 16, 1925 - December 19, 2011

Russell John “Rut” Monke, 86, of Litchfield, died Mon., Dec. 19, 2011 at 5:38 a.m. in St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born on Feb. 16, 1925 in Litchfield, a son of Arthur Richard & Katherine Rena (Frerichs) Monke. He graduated from Litchfield Community High School. He moved to the city of Litchfield in 1985 after farming in Honey Point & North Litchfield Townships his entire life. Over the years, he served on Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District for 18 years, was Barnett Drainage Commissioner & served on other agricultural committees in both Montgomery & Macoupin counties. He was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield where he was baptized on Mar. 15, 1925 & later received the Rite of Confirmation on Mar. 21, 1937. He was a member of Litchfield Moose Lodge #1634, Litchfield Country Club & the Montgomery County Farm Bureau. In his leisure time, he enjoyed hunting, golfing & bowling. He married Betty Mae Martin on Apr. 28, 1946 in First Baptist Church in Litchfield. She survives. He is also survived by:

1 son, Richard “Rick” Monke of Litchfield
1 daughter, Dr. Jamie J. Monke of St. Louis
4 grandchildren, Catherine “Kate” (P.J.) Richardson of Savoy
Sarah Monke of Urbana
Rena Seidler of Charleston, WV
John Monke of St. Louis
3 great-grandchildren, Zoe West of Savoy;
Olivia Monke of Urbana
Jack Richardson of Savoy
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Martin J. “Marty” Monke; 1 brother, Frederick Monke.

Funeral Information

A graveside memorial service will be held Thurs., Dec. 22, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. in Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield. Rev. Jonathan Bontke, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, will officiate. No visitation will be held. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.

Donations Information

The family suggests memorials to Zion Lutheran Church or St. Francis Hospital, both in Litchfield.