Walter Gehl Schimke

Walter Schimke, 84, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital.

He was born January 19, 1939, in Chicago, IL, to Walter Emil and Loretta (Domke) Schimke.  On July 3, 1989, he married Helen Baldwin in Elkhorn, WI.  Walter was a teacher at Harvard High School for most of his career and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Harvard. 

Survivors include his wife Helen of Harvard, children Walter (Kelly) Schimke of Medford, OR, and Erik Schimke of Frankfurt, IL, 4 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, and niece Luanna (Rick) Grimes.  He is also survived by his stepchildren Robert (Terri) Hays, Carla (Mike) O’Neill, and Pam (Steve) Matteson, 6 step-grandchildren and 9 step-great-grandchildren.

Walter was preceded in death by his first wife Delores.

Visitation will be from 11:30 AM until the 1:30 PM funeral service Mon., Feb. 13 at Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home, 107 W. Sumner St. Harvard, IL. The Rev. Elizabeth Martin will officiate.  Interment will be in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Harvard.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.saundersmcfarlin.net. Call Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home for more info at 815-943-5400.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.