James "Jim" Tulke

James “Jim” Robert Tulke, 79, of Hot Springs Village, AR went to his heavenly home on Friday, January 6,2023 at home with family at his side.

He was born in Chicago, IL on May 23, 1943 to Harry and Florence Tulke, the third of five children growing up on the South side of Chicago in Bridgeport. He grew up and remained close to his extended family. Some of his favorite memories were getting together with friends and family to celebrate milestones and holidays. They would eat together, play games, and spend time together late into the evening. Gatherings like these were an ongoing highlight throughout his life and he loved to host a good family party.

On June 6, 1964, he married the love of his life, Loretta. They lived for a few years on 35th Street and then moved to Elmhurst, IL in 1968. They lived in a close knit neighborhood and made lifelong friendships while putting down their roots. While there, Jim served as a paid on call firefighter and the firefighters became a second family during his 23 years with the department. In 1975, their only child, Pamela Sue was born. He was an involved father, and his greatest joy was watching Pam grow into the person she would become. He was exceptionally proud of her, and would talk about her to anyone who would listen. As a family, they loved to travel and went on multiple cruises and Disney World vacations interspersed with trips to destinations across the country. Some of their best memories were made on vacation. They continued to travel together over the years as the number of travelers expanded to include a spouse and grandkids, and they even had a cruise planned for January 2023.

Jim worked hard all of his life, and often held more than one job at a time. He was a jack of all trades who had an innate ability to fix things and manage situations. He worked in a restaurant and delivered Home Juice in high school. He worked in the trust department of American National Bank, and was a sales rep and terminal manager for a steel trucking company, the maintenance engineer for Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, a security officer for Elmhurst College, and a paid on call firefighter for Elmhurst, IL. After retiring the first time, he worked part time for Balboa Baptist Church as a custodian.

He wrote the code and created a membership database for a professional organization in 1980’s before these were mainstream. He served as the treasurer of the West Suburban Firefighter’s Association and the Hot Springs Village Angler’s Club.

Jim was happiest when spending time with friends and family. He loved to fish and spent many hours fishing with friends and family. His dear friend, Chuck Lisauskas, got him hooked on NASCAR and iced tea and he loved to watch the races. He enjoyed time in his yard or on the deck. He had a vegetable garden growing every summer, and he always had multiple feeders full of seed for the birds. He had a fun sense of humor, loved to play games, and was a listening ear for many. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, and he liked nothing better than a creative solution. He loved the way Facebook allowed him to keep up with friends and family, and he frequently posted encouraging words and content.

He is survived by his wife Loretta of Hot Springs Village, AR, daughter Pam and her husband Cris Trevino of Amherst, NY, grandson Jesse Trevino and bonus granddaughter Emma Stowell also of Amherst, NY, brother in law Ronald Jordan of Oak Lawn, IL, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Florence Tulke, his brother John “Moe” Tulke, his sister Jean and her husband Victor Kaczkowski, his brother Richard and his wife Lynn Tulke, and his sister Sharon Jordan.

Services will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 1196 DeSoto Road, Hot Springs Village, AR on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 10:30. Visitation will begin an hour prior to the service. A Celebration of Life service and interment at Bethania Cemetery in Justice, IL will be held in May 2023.

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