William R. "Bill" Hamerlinck

William R. "Bill" Hamerlinck, age 88, formerly of Orion, died Saturday, August 25, 2012 at Hillcrest Home, Geneseo.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 30, 2012 at Mary, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 1402-10th Street, Orion. Visitation is 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the church with a rosary at 1:30 p.m. prior to the visitation. Burial is at Western Township Cemetery, Orion. Memorials may be made to Mary, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church Building Fund. Kirk, Huggins & Esterdahl Funeral Home, Ltd. Orion is assisting the family.
Bill was born December 12, 1923 in Milan, the son of Julius A. and Emily M (Gripp) Hamerlinck. He married Bernice Curry on June 15, 1946 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Milan.
Bill farmed his entire life in the Orion area. He moved into town in 1974, but still continued to farm. Bill was a charter member of Mary, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Henry County Farm Bureau, and was a trustee on the Orion Village board. Besides working, he also loved playing cards and was a huge Cubs fan.
SURVIVORS
Wife Bernice Hamerlinck
Children Gary (Deb) Hamerlinck Geneseo
Jim (Nancy P.) Hamerlinck Coal Valley
Keith (Nancy L.) Hamerlinck Cleveland, IL
Mary (Don) Morris Orion
Tom (Tammy) Hamerlinck Cambridge
19 grandchildren, several great grandchildren
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Fred, John, Joe, George, Clarence, Robert and baby Earl; sisters, Dorothy DeSchepper, Stella Verbeck and Louella Fredell; grandchildren, Matthew and Tony; and great granddaughter, Faith.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting his obituary at www.esterdahl.com.