Edward "Ed" B. Dykema

Edward “Ed” Ben Dykema, age 90, of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, passed away on May 6, 2012, at Harbor Crest Nursing Home, Fulton, Illinois, after a short battle with cancer. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Gateway Baptist Church, 722 S. 16th St., Clinton, Iowa, with Pastor Jon Booth officiating. Burial will take place in the Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, Illinois. A visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 10, prior to the funeral service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mercy Hospice in Ed’s memory.
Ed was born on July 23, 1921, in Fenton, Illinois as the youngest son of Cornelius and Mary Dykema. Ed began his work career as a machinist with the Reel Mower Company in Prophetstown and later he worked at International Harvester in Rock Falls and retired after 25 years of dedicated employment from International Harvester-Farmall in Rock Island.
Ed married Mildred Williams on March 8, 1941. They were the proud parents of Richard, Kenneth, Larry, and Lonny. They farmed in rural Mt. Carroll from 1956 to 1984 before retiring to the Riverview area of Thomson. In his later years Ed enjoyed woodworking and was a favorite at local craft shows. Ed had an extensive model tractor collection and could identify many older tractor models with a quick glance.
Ed enjoyed camping and fishing and for over 47 years spent most summers in the Balsam Lake, Wisconsin area. Family and friends looked forward to his finger licking good fish fries.
Ed is survived by his four sons Richard (Barb) of Geneseo, Illinois; Kenneth (Carol) of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin; Larry (Corky) of Viola, Illinois; Lonny (Linda) of Snellville, Georgia; and Kitty Misner of Camanche, Iowa - a faithful and special friend. Ed had 20 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, brothers George and Ben; his beloved wife of 63 years, Mildred; and their infant daughter Judy.