Louis H. "Bud" Mesker

-  Louis H.”Bud” Mesker passed away Friday, April 12, 2019 at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, Urbana, IL

Visitation will be Friday, April 26 from 12:00 Noon-2:00 PM at the Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana.  Funeral services will immediately follow the visitation.  Rev. Jeff Caithamer will officiate.

Bud was born August 20, 1937 in Chicago, IL.  He was the only child of Louis J. Mesker and Edith H.(Reinhold) Mesker.

Bud was married to Mary (Buckley) Mesker for 20 years.  They had four children together;  Kathy Dixon(Michael) of Urbana; Joan Mesker(Abby) of Oakland, CA; Louis W. Mesker(Beverly) of Champaign, IL; and Stephen Mesker(Julie) of Imperial, MO.  He was married to Evelen(Rouse) Mesker from 1978 until her death in 2001.  Evelen brought her four children to the marriage:  Deborah Hesse(Mark) of Danville, IL; Douglas Rouse(Judith) of Onalaska, WI; Dru Rouse of Danville, IL; and the late David Rouse(Laura) of Champaign.  Bud considered Evelen’s children his own.

In addition to his children, Bud is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Evelen Mesker, and a son, David Rouse.

Bud graduated from University High School in 1955.  He served in the U.S. Army for four years.  He was a firefighter at the University of Illinois Fire Department for 28 years, until his retirement as acting Fire Chief.  He was a life long member of St. John Lutheran Church in Champaign.

Bud was an active and proud member of the Greater Champaign County Chapter of Ambucs and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding service.  Bud was known as “Mr. Amtryke” for the hundreds of Amtrykes he ordered, assembled, and presented to children in need.  He also served as past President and Chairman of the Board of Ambucs and held the District Governor office several times.  Bud enjoyed camping, traveling, crossword puzzles and until recently, riding his Harley.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Champaign County Chapter of Ambucs, P.O. Box 592, Urbana, IL  61803. 

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