Kevin F O'Rourke, D.V.M.

Born August 26, 1957 in Bloomington to Patrick Philip and Mary Virginia (Raycraft) O’Rourke, he married Rita L. Boehle on December 21, 1984 in Galesburg. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Brendan (Lindsay) O’Rourke of Pekin and Michael O’Rourke of Wakayama, Japan; two daughters, Mary O’Rourke and Jerri O’Rourke, both of Pekin; his mother, Virginia O’Rourke of Downs; five brothers, Patrick (Helen) O’Rourke of Normal, Daniel (Denise) O’Rourke of Greeley, Colorado, Joe O’Rourke of Mount Prospect, Michael (Susan) O’Rourke of Bloomington, and David (Fan-Xin) O’Rourke of China; two sisters, Peggy (Al) Trunek of Lisle and Kathleen (Doug) Johnson of Mundelein; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father in 2007 and two brothers, John E. O’Rourke and Jerome O’Rourke. In October of 1991 Jerome donated a kidney to Kevin, a gift that extended his life by 22 years.

A 1975 graduate of LeRoy High School in LeRoy, he graduated from the University of Illinois with his Bachelor’s degree in 1979. He earned his Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine degree from the University of Illinois in 1983.

Dr. O’Rourke was happy to spend 30 years pursuing his life-long passion of caring for animals as a Veterinarian. He began his career at Knox Veterinary Clinic in Galesburg. In 1986, he came to Pekin as an associate with Dr. Cecil Lange at Lange Animal Clinic. He purchased the clinic in January of 1991. The clinic will remain open and continue to serve the community.

Kevin was a patient and compassionate man who found joy in helping others. He was extremely devoted to his family and always enjoyed supporting his kids in their various activities, planning family adventures, and visiting his mother. His fruit salads were works of art and his pies were legendary. He was proud of his Irish heritage and of his alma mater, the University of Illinois.

His funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at Saint Patrick Catholic Church of Merna, 1001 North Towanda Barnes Road in Bloomington. Monsignor Jerry Ward will be the celebrant. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory, 500 North 4th Street in Pekin, where there will be a time to share memories and stories of Kevin at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Bloomington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to JDRF Illinois Chapter, (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), 11 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60603-1344.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com