This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: DILLENBECK, BUTCHER, VANHOUT, POTTER, BELLES, PIPER, TIMKOVICH, HANEY, MCGUIRE, TINKER Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/RFB.2ACE/1747 Message Board Post: DILLENBECK, Roger H. Age 82 Of Battle Creek Passed away Monday, September 27, 2004 at home. He was born April 2, 1922, in Lawrence, MI, the son of Harry and Opal (Butcher) Dillenbeck. Roger attended Lawrence Public Schools, and also worked on his family's farm. He enlisted in the United State Army on September 28, 1942, where he served as an orderly and litter bearer until medical conditions gained him an honorable discharge in 1943. Following his military service, Roger worked at the American Legion Hospital in Battle Creek. In November of 1943 he joined the Post Division of Kraft General Foods, where he worked as a cooker operator until retiring in 1979 with 35 years of service. While with Post Cereals he worked part time and later full time with Royal Funeral Home for 20 years, until retiring in 1984. Roger married the former Virginia (Van Hout) Potter on April 9, 1955. She survives him. Roger was well known for his commitment to community and veteran's organizations. In 1959 he was instrumental in establishing and! organizing a Military Funeral detail for veterans in Battle Creek and the surrounding area. Some of the first detail participants were patients from the VA Medical Center. Roger worked with them and trained them. This detail provided pallbearers, honor guard, taps, and the rifle squad for their comrades final resting. For many of the funerals Roger officiated as chaplain. This burial detail was established through the Battle Creek United War Veteran's Council, of which Roger has been a member since 1958, and served as both Chaplain and Commander. Before his retirement, Roger would take time off from work to provide these service to his fellow veterans. In 1976, he received the "Veteran's Friend Award" from the Battle Creek United War Veteran's Council. The Battle Creek Enquirer recognized his honor guard efforts by selecting him as a George Award recipient on April 26, 1987. He was also been an active member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter #7 since 1955. He has h! eld many offices in that organization, including Chaplain, State Chapl ain, and Commander. He was also a Life Member of American Legion Post #298. Roger held offices with and was a member of the Woodman of the World Life Insurance Society since 1955. Through this society he was instrumental in local schools, churches and businesses receiving American flags and history plaques. Roger was a member of the Post 25 Year Club and the Post Balloon Club. He was also active with the Veteran's Affairs Volunteer Service at the VA Medical Center. Roger has given so much of himself to so many people over the years. This is especially true of his love and devotion to his family. He was always there for us no matter what the circumstances. Surviving in addition to his wife are his daughters, Judy Belles of Battle Creek, Isabel "Tobby" Potter of Battle Creek, and Karen (Leon) Piper of Climax. He also leaves his sister, Mary (John) Timkovich of Kalamazoo; six grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, one step-granddaughter and o! ne step-great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert E. Potter in 1979; and sisters, Alice Haney, Paula McGuire, and Sarah Tinker. Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at ROYAL FUNERAL HOME 281 Upton Ave. at Dickman Rd Battle Creek, MI where the family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 30, 2004 at First Assembly of God. Interment with Military Honors will be at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Lifespan/Good Samaritan Hospice Care or Disabled American Veteran's Chapter #7. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 9/28/2004. (Posted by a volunteer-no family connection)