Hans Emil Hunecke, 84, of Coal Valley, passed away Monday, June 17, 2024, at his home.

A visitation will be held from 9:30am to 10:30am Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan. The funeral mass will be held at 11:00am Saturday, June 22, 2024, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a no kill animal shelter or a charity of your choice.

Hans was born January 4, 1940, in Lutjenholm, Germany, to Johannes and Mathilde (Hanson) Hunecke. He attended three and a half years of agriculture school in Bredstedt before coming to the United States in July of 1958. He married Jacqueline Sharp on October 19, 1960. He and Jackie raised two sons, Brian and Bruce. He joined the Carpenter's Union, Local 166, and served his apprenticeship with Peter Paulsen, then Warner Paulsen Construction. He retired as a construction superintendent with CCM. He was a union carpenter member for over 50 years. He served in the Iowa National Guard, Davenport. He was in the honor guard for Herbert Hoover's Funeral.

Hans loved his family and enjoyed his son's and later his grandson's, Hans Juergen and Beckett, sports, theatrical and musical events. He enjoyed golf (he had 3 hole-in-ones), bowling, and fishing. He was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Milan, IL. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jackie; son, Brian Hunecke; grandsons, Hans Juergen and Becket Hunecke; brother, Carl Heinz; and several nieces and nephews in both America and Gemany. He is preceded in death by son, Bruce; and siblings, Dora, Willi, Gunther, and Renate.

Condolences may be shared with the family on the Tribute Wall.