Frank & Bright Funeral Home

Dr. Galen Lueking

Oct 26th, 1952 - Jan 23rd, 2016

     Dr. Galen F. Lueking, MD, of Flora, Illinois, died Saturday evening, January 23, 2016, at his farm, surrounded by loving family.  Dr. Lueking touched thousands of lives during his 34-year medical career in Clay County, serving as a compassionate and devoted physician.  He was 63.

     Focusing on general practice medicine and certified by the American Board of Family Practice since July 1981, Dr. Lueking personified the traditions of a country doctor who delivered babies and made home visits, often wearing his trademark suspenders and spending time getting to know and listen to his patients.

     Born October 26, 1952, the son of Edwin August and Evelyn Marie (Kleine) Lueking in Centralia, he grew up near Hoffman in Clinton County.  After attending Carlyle High School and Kaskaskia College, he went on to graduate in 1978 from the University of Illinois College of Medicine program in Peoria, and completed his residency in 1981 at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield.  He honorably served as a U.S. Air Force Reservist.  In 1981, Dr. Lueking began his area practice at the Clay Medical Center.  Almost 20 years later he joined Clay County Hospital and was instrumental in breaking ground for the new Clay County Hospital and Medical Clinic.

     He served as medical director, both past and present, of the following: Clay County Hospital serving as Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, Secretary/Treasurer, Medical Records/Utilization Review Committee, Morbidity/Mortality Conference Committee, and Infection Control Committee; Clay County Health Department Board of Directors and Hospice program; CCH Medical Clinic; and local nursing, independent living, and CILA homes including: Flora Pavilion, Country View Terrace, Richland Manor, Flora Health Care Center, Flora Manor, and Prairie Estates.

     In December 2015, the naming of the “Dr. Galen Lueking Medical-Surgical Unit” of Clay County Hospital was formally presented in honor for his years of dedication and service.  Other recent honors include when Dr. Lueking was named with the Illinois Rural Health Physician of Excellence award in 2008.

     He married Jacqueline A. (Klaman) on March 3, 1984, at Faith Lutheran Church in Flora, and they have shared 31 years of love and mutual passions together, including horses, dancing, travel and entertaining.

     Dr. Lueking’s interest in horses and later, mules, began early in life as his family kept and cared for ponies.  He enjoyed discovering new trails and rode his horses in a number of states and Canada, and particularly appreciated the splendor of the Yukon’s Emerald Lake.

     He was a member of the Flora Elks, Eagles, Moose, NMN Club, and a 25-year member of Coon Creek Ridge Riders.

     He is survived by his wife: Jacqueline Lueking of Flora; two daughters: Michelle Lueking and husband Tom Hines of Long Island City, New York, and Dr. Melissa J. Lueking of O’Fallon, Missouri; stepson: Jeffrey J. Miglin and significant other Michele Hinds of Flora; stepdaughter: Jennifer A. Winka of Flora; grandson: Lueking Thomas Hines; step-granddaughter: Katherine A. Miglin; siblings: Donald (Marcella) Lueking of Centralia, William (Deborah) Lueking of Centralia, and Nita (Kevin) Bennett of Shorewood; along with several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. 

     A funeral service for Dr. Lueking will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoffman.  Interment will follow in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery with military recognition.  Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Monday at Faith Lutheran Church in Flora and from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoffman.  Funeral arrangements are in the care of Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. The family has recommended any of the following as their preferred form of remembrance:  Faith Lutheran Church of Flora, Clay County 4-H, Clay County Cancer Support Group, Christ our Rock Lutheran High School, Trinity Lutheran Church of Hoffman, or Clinton County 4-H.  To share a condolence or memory with the family, visit www.frankandbright.com.