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Obituary of Julia L. Bjerke

Dunlap - Julia L. Bjerke, 41, of rural Dunlap, died suddenly at 5:50 am Friday, November 30, 2007, at OSF St Francis Medical Center Emergency Department.

She was born November 4, 1966, in Peoria, the daughter of Emil W. and Jan K. Farmer Deissler.  Julia married Ron A. Bjerke on October 20, 1990, at University United Methodist Church in Peoria.  Ron survives, along with their three sons, Nathan, Nicholas, and Jack, all at home; her parents, Emil and Jan Deissler of Peoria; two sisters, Janelle Niemeier of Peoria and Jill (and Tom) Frazier of Towanda; several nieces and nephews; her grandmother, Helen Farmer of Toulon; and in-laws, Richard and Eleanor Bjerke of Page, ND.  She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather.

Julia was a 1984 graduate of Richwoods High School and then attended the University of Alabama where she was in the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society.  She transferred to University of Illinois and received her Bachelors Degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 1988.  She also received a Masters in Engineering from Bradley University in 1999.  She was a member of the American Society of Metallurgists.

In 1986, Julia began working at Caterpillar Inc, where she spent most of her career as a Metallurgical Engineer in the Advance Materials Technology division at the Mossville Technical Center. 

Julia brought joy to all.  She loved her family, friends, and church.  She was very active in following all her kids sporting events, when she truly met some of her dearest friends and their great kids.

She was a member of Prospect United Methodist Church, where she was a former member of the Board of Trustees, taught Sunday School for several years, and recently accepted an appointment to the Pastor Parish Committee.

A Celebration of Julia’s life will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, December 4th, 2007, at Prospect United Methodist Church, 300 E Ash, Dunlap.  Rev. Mary Kathryn Pearce will officiate.  A visitation will be held from 5 to 8:00 pm Monday at the church.  Cremation will follow the service on Tuesday, and then family and friends will gather for a committal service on Wednesday at 2:30 pm at American Mausoleum, Peoria.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Prospect United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, or to the Deissler Family Scholarship at Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL 61635.

Hammitt-Hott Funeral Home, Princeville, is in charge of arrangements.  Condolences may be sent to the family via www.hammitthott.com.

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