Obituary of Phillip J. Miatke

      Phillip J. Miatke, 68, of Sterling, died Saturday, July 21, 2018, at his home.

    He was born Aug. 2, 1949, the son of Darrel and Aloise (Landheer) Miatke. Phil was baptized at the former Second Avenue Lutheran Church. He married Linda M. (Remenih) Miatke on June 1, 1974, at St. John Lutheran Church in Peru, Illinois.

    Phil grew up on his parents’ farm in Coleta, where his love of farming was nurtured. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in Plant Industries, and spent his career in the field of agriculture. He worked for the Illinois Department of Agriculture, was a district sales manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred, and a crop specialist with Carroll Farm Service.

    Phil had served in the National Guard as a medic, and earned the Medal of Commendation for performing his duty with outstanding excellence. Phil was dedicated to his family and his Lord. He believed in hard work, honesty and integrity. He loved music as well as joking and pranking with friends and family.

    Phil was an active member at Messiah Lutheran Church in Sterling, served on the Board of the Carroll County Fair, and on various boards of the Rock River Valley Racing Pigeon Club, and was the pioneering individual for the development of genetic testing for Scrapies with the Suffolk sheep industry.

    He is survived by and sorely missed by his wife of 44 years, Linda; his daughter, Kristi (Mike) Oltman of Oak Park; two sons, Erich (Erin) Miatke of Polo and Karl (Tera) Miatke of Normal; seven grandchildren, Alessa, Michael, and Evie Oltman, Grace and Elizabeth Miatke, and Ethan and Kaelyn Miatke; two brothers, Dave (Marilyn) Miatke, Keith (Vali) Miatke, and a sister, Marcia (John) Schmitt.

    Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Schilling Funeral Home, 702 First Ave., Sterling. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Messiah Lutheran Church in Sterling, with a luncheon to follow.