Russell D. "Luke" Luko

Russell Luko Russell D. "Luke" Luko, 61, of Palmyra, MO, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Thursday, April 27, 2006, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL. Visitation for Mr. Luko will be held on Sunday, April 30, beginning after 12 noon, at the Olson~Powell Memorial Chapel in Mt. Pleasant, IA, where the family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. that evening. Following the visitation, Mr. Luko's body will be cremated. Burial will be at a later date. A memorial has been established in Luke's name and will be used for the education of his grandchildren. On-line condolences may be sent to www.olsonpowell.com. Born on June 22, 1944, in Ottumwa, IA, Luke was the son of Robert E. and Merlene Guinn Luko. He attended Davis County Schools. On March 7, 1964, he married Shirley Klicker in Bloomfield, IA. The couple later divorced. Luke worked for Hamilton Produce in Bloomfield, IA. He then went to work for Northeast Power Co-op and has worked there ever since, first as a lineman and then as an operator. In 1973, he moved from Bloomfield to Mt. Pleasant, IA and lived there for many years. In 1991, he transferred with the Co-op to Missouri. He lived in Hannibal, MO, for several years and moved to Palmyra, MO, in 2005. Specializing in making picture frames, Luke enjoyed woodworking along with hunting and fishing. He could fix anything. He also enjoyed playing card games. Luke is survived by one son, Bill Luko and his wife Lisa of Packwood, IA; two daughters, Gina and her husband Donni Rooks of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Brenda Groves of Nixa, MO; along with six grandchildren, Amanda and Kelsey Luko, Haley Luko, Kody Barton, and Tyler and Ashlee Luko. He is also survived by his mother, Merlene and her husband Wendell "Shorty" Oge of Dallas City, IL; one brother Wendell Luko and his wife Kerry of New London, IA; and two sisters, Wava and her husband John Jarr of Fairfield, IA, and Veronica and her husband Brian Schineker of Burlington, IA. Luke was preceded in death by his father, Robert Luko, and an infant brother, Doyle Luko.