David C. Bronke, 72, of Du Bois, passed away at 7:02 P.M., Friday, April 5, 2024, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, surrounded by his family.
David retired as a rural postal carrier with the United States Postal Service after twenty years of service.  He was a lifelong beef and grain farmer.  David over the years also worked for Decca Records, Blue Bell Packing, was an operator for Local 520, and worked for FS in Nashville for years putting up pole barns and sheds.  He was a member of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Todds Mill.  David was a graduate of Tamaroa High School and after attending night school for four years later in life, graduated with an associate degree from Rend Lake College.  David was a United States Army veteran and served his country during the Vietnam era.  He attained the rank of E-4, was an M-16 sharpshooter and received the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.  He was also a member of Tamaroa American Legion and a life member of the Du Quoin American Legion.  David was a Knights of Columbus member for over 40 years, a 4th Degree member, and had served as Deputy Grand Knight.  He was a school board member for District 211 and District 204.  He also served on the St. Charles School Board and St. Bruno's School Board.  For two years, he was a volleyball coach at St. Charles School.  David was the local shop steward for rural mail carriers while employed with the USPS and was a member of the St. Charles Church Men's Club.  David gave blood every chance he could through the American Red Cross.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He enjoyed watching westerns and professional wrestling.  David will be remembered fondly by his grandchildren.
He was born February 27, 1952, in the back of a milk delivery truck on the way to Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin, IL, the son of Theodore and Marcella (Lamczyk) Bronke.
He married Bernadette A. Niedbalski on May 18, 1974, in Posen, IL, and they had a wonderful marriage of almost 50 years, and she survives.
He is survived by his wife of Du Bois, four children - Daniel Bronke and wife Angela of Nashville, Elizabeth McCune and husband Joshua of Tamaroa, James Bronke and wife Farrah of Du Bois, and Jessica Bronke and David Buss of Posen, four siblings - Donna Mathis of Buffalo Grove, IL, Rosemary Gogolek of Nashville, Robert Bronke of Tamaroa, and Charles Bronke of Tamaroa, thirteen grandchildren - Josephine Bronke, Johnathan Bronke, Jacob Bronke, Othilda McCune, Chase Kremer, Gage Kremer, Anthony Bronke, Clayton Bronke, Jemma Gill, Florence Gill, Jensen Gill, Clay Buss and Wade Buss, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters - Marlene Loucks and Nancy Bronke, one brother-in-law - David Mathis, two sisters-in-law - Sandy Bronke and Fran Bronke and father-in-law and mother-in-law - Edward and Josephine Niedbalski.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Todds Mill with Fr. Carl Schrage officiating.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 P.M., Wednesday at the church and from 9 A.M. until the time of service on Thursday at the church.
The Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Honor Guard will conduct a brief service at the wake.
Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Du Quoin V.F.W. and American Legion and the Army National Guard.
Burial will be in the St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery in Todds Mill, IL.
Friends may make memorials to Masses, St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery or St. Bruno Catholic School and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa is in charge of arrangements.