August 2026
Reverend Robert “Bob” William Demchuk Sr., 73, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2026.
Bob was the beloved husband of Kristine A. Demchuk (nee Bohne) for 55 wonderful years. He was the devoted father of Victoria K. Dreckmann (Daniel), Elizabeth A. Demchuk, Deborah L. Schmidt (Jonathan), and Robert W. Demchuk Jr. (Breanne). He was a proud grandfather to Taylor Murphy (Lieutenant [O-3]), Raphael Murphy, (US Navy), Zoe Dreckmann, Gavin Schmidt, Alexander Demchuk, Jack Dreckmann, Landon Demchuk, and Robert Demchuk III, and a cherished great-grandfather to Jude Murphy.
Born to the late William and Mary Demchuk, Bob was also the loving son-in-law of the late Victor and Virginia Bohne. He was a dear brother to Joseph Demchuk, Mary Gulley (nee Demchuk), John Demchuk (Donna, nee Reddel), and Margaret Grant (Robert); a beloved brother-in-law to William Bohne (Linda) and Margaret Ash (William); and a cherished uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Raised in the Catholic faith, Bob felt a strong calling to ministry early in life, attending St. Augustine Seminary High School in Michigan. Though his path took a new turn after meeting his wife, Kristine, his call to ministry never wavered. After attending a Good Friday service together at Ashburn Lutheran Church in Chicago, Bob found his true spiritual home and calling in the Lutheran faith.
A 1970 graduate of Marist High School in Chicago, Bob worked early on in the meat industry of the Chicago Stockyards. A skilled butcher, he went on to own The Butcher Block in Palos Hills, Illinois, and worked as a traveling salesman for Schneider Food Company in the early 1980s.
Following his divine calling, Bob earned his degree from Concordia River Forest in 1982 and completed his Master of Divinity at Concordia Seminary in Clayton, Missouri, graduating in 1991. To support his family during his seminary years, Bob worked tirelessly—managing Lox, Stock, and Bagel in Clayton, butchering at Baumann’s Meat Market in Brentwood (where they still sell a version of his famous steak seasoning alongside his recipes for jerky and sausages), and serving as a vacancy pastor for churches across Missouri and Illinois. He served as an interim vicar in Gillette, Wyoming, and completed his vicarage at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Osage, Iowa in 1990.
Over his decades of faithful service, Pastor Bob served as Pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and Director of Pastoral Care at Bellefontaine Rehabilitation Center in Spanish Lake, Missouri; Pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in St. Louis; Executive Director of The Council of Lutheran Churches in St. Louis, keeping his butcher’s apron close, working on the side at Lindy’s Butcher Shop in South City St. Louis. Most recently, he served as Pastor of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Bourbonnais, Illinois.
Above all, Pastor Bob loved his family with a passion and was a true shepherd to those in need. He dedicated his ministry to reaching people who normally wouldn’t step foot in a church. Known for his legendary storytelling, Bob had a gift for spinning tales where listeners were left wondering if they were completely true—but always left laughing. Armed with a lightning-quick wit, he brought joy, humor, and grace wherever he went.
He was a man of many passions: serving as chaplain for the Kankakee County Speedway racetrack (2011–2016), teaching Death & Dying, Philosophy, and Religion as an adjunct professor at Kankakee Community College, and sharing his lifelong love of guitar playing with his congregation. In his personal life, Bob loved bowling in local leagues, bicycling, ice skating, going to concerts with family and friends, and filling every room with music and laughter.
Services will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 1881 W. Division St., Manteno, IL 60950.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the memorial service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. A light lunch will be served at the church following the service.