Bobbie "BK" Keith Sturm

Bobbie Keith Sturm, "BK" was born in Wyoming, Illinois, May 22, 1939 to Violet Kingen & Robert Sturm. He was the 2nd of 5 : Sonya (Don) Mason, deceased, Hope (Ron) McLeod, Oswego, IL, Lt. Colonel Dennis (Heidi) Sturm, USAF, San Antoni, TX and Kathy (William) King, Hannibal, MO. His mother "Vi" moved them to Peoria, IL early in BK's life and raised him and his siblings on her own, until marrying a widower by the name of Guy Simmons. Guy also had a child, Sandra (Dennis) Eberle, Peoria, Il. Together they raised these 6 during very lean times in a two- bedroom home, which to BK, was the Taj Mahal. Vi was finally able to leave her factory job & take care of her children & home, while Guy worked tirelessly for 34 years at Sealtest, taking any overtime he could to provide. Bob had 9 nieces & nephews and 14 great nieces & nephews whom he kept tabs on from afar always admiring their many adventures & accomplishments. BK graduated from Manual High School, tried the US Reserves, took a few college courses and then met & married Lena Hunkeapillar. Together they had one daughter, Kimberly (Dr. Timothy) Bly, Bloomington, Il. In nearly 20 years, BK never missed a Chiropractic appointment with Dr. Bly, and often referred to as him as his "favorite human". Tim & Kim raised his 4 grandchildren, Aubrey Hackman, Encinitas, CA., Sophia (Thomas) Connell of Arvada, CO., Joseph, (Alison) St. Louis, MO and Mackenzie Bly also of Encinitas, CA. BK has four great grandchildren, Aubrey's twin boys, Merit & Canon and Joe & Ali's two Pierce & Vivienne. He adored them all and bragged endlessly about their many talents and "inherited good-looks". Bob worked as a lineman for CILCO for a few years while also playing in a band (his real true love) most evenings. He left CILCO to work for Caterpillar, hoping to free up more time for his music. He retired some 30+ years later from CAT but continued playing with his band Ravenwood, for several more years. To call Bob's life an enigma is an understatement. While he loved performing with his band 4 weeks a night for decades; he was a loner by day, craving the solitude of watching his Humming Birds, tending to his tomato plants, baking pies or admiring the fountain in his pool all while remaining a constant friend to his two childhood buddies; Hobie Etheridge (deceased) & Tom Kennedy. This trio met as young boys while Bob, his mother and siblings lived in Peoria's project housing. They forged an unbreakable bond, later played in several bands, shared all of life's joys & sorrows and were friends to the end. Tom was with BK just weeks before he was hospitalized. He had countless other loyal friends as well, Amy, Karen, Brian, Adrienne, to name a few, all whom he loved and spoke of frequently. He was simultaneously remote and beguiling, had a booming infectious laugh and was an incredibly skillful poet. BK passed away peacefully at Proctor Hospital, January 19, 2022 shortly after 4PM from COPD & Covid complications. His care there was exemplary. A huge thank-you to the nurses and doctors who were so attentive to him. Rest in peace Daddy, you deserve it. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph's Indian School, South Dakota. Schmidt-Haller Burial and Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.

Bobbie "BK" Keith Sturm

May 22, 1939 - January 19, 2022