Robert C. Tonske

Robert C. Tonske, 71 of St. Joseph, formerly of Des Plaines, IL, Died Thursday November 22, 2007 at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, November 26, 2007, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph, with Msgr Eugene Sears and Father Paul Yeruva officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Visitation is from 2:00 – 5:00 P.M., Sunday with Prayers said at 5:00 P.M, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Lory’s Place or Hospice At Home. Those wishing to send a condolence message online may do so in the guest book at www.starks-menchinger.com Robert was born to Charles & Sophie (Wietecha) Tonske in Chicago, IL, on October 15, 1936. He was a Graduate of Wells High School in Chicago in 1954. He entered the US Marine Corps on June 28, 1956, and was honorably discharged on June 27, 1962. On April 30, 1960, he married Nancy Hamel at St. Barbara Catholic Church in Massillon, OH. In 2000 Robert retired from Oakbrook bank in Chicago, IL, as Vice President. He was a member of Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary Club, Board member at Lory’s Place, and Minister of communion. Bob & Nancy have three wonderful daughters who through the years brought them much happiness and made them so proud. He is survived by his wife Nancy of St. Joseph; two daughters – Libby (Ted) Baker of Gurnee, IL and Lynn Smolinski of Wexford, PA; son-in-law Ronald Schults of St. Joseph; eight grandchildren – Michael, Anne and Kathryn Smolinski; Erik and Sophia Schults; Forrest, Thomas and John Baker; two cousins – Lorraine Mandolini of Glenview, IL and Ronald Kargol of Chicago, IL. He was preceded in death by his loving daughter Dr. Lory A. Schults on January 22, 2004.