Frederick E. Dexheimer

Frederick E. Dexheimer, age 88, of Savanna, Illinois, died Friday, August 6, 2010 at the Big Meadows Nursing Facility in Savanna, Illinois. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 12, 2010 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna with Father Dennis Atto as celebrant. Military Rites will be accorded by the Savanna V.F.W. Post # 2223, Savanna and Cremation Rites will follow the funeral mass. Burial will take place at a later date in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, Illinois. A rosary service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fred’s memory.

Fred was born on January 10, 1922, the son of Frederick E. and Marion (Heinz) Dexheimer, Sr. in Evanston, Illinois. He attended Highland Park High School and later served his country in the United States Coast Guard. Fred was a highly decorated World War II Coast Guard Veteran in the North Atlantic and the Pacific Theaters. He married Sara Mc Laughlin on September 9, 1944 at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Chicago, Illinois. Sara died on May 5, 2007 in Savanna.

Fred was a Steam Fitter and a Diesel Power Plant Operator, until retiring in 1982. He was a longtime member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and was member of the Knights of Columbus. Fred was a member of N.A.R.F.E. and Cooties. He also served as past Commander of the American Legion and the V.F.W. in Villa Park, Illinois. He was founder of the Sons of the V.F.W. Post# 5815 in Lombard, Illinois and a member of the Savanna V.F.W Post #2223. He enjoyed participating in Boy Scouts of America and was involved for over fifty-five years. Fred also enjoyed gardening and stamp collecting, but most of all he loved spending time with his family.

Fred will be missed by three sons, Frederick M. (Pat) Dexheimer of Geneva, Illinois, Mark (Suzanne) Dexheimer of Lombard, Illinois and Brian (Laurie) Dexheimer of Phoenix, Arizona; three daughters, Nancy (Michael) Hill of Lombard, Illinois, Janice (John) Graehling of Wheaton, Illinois and Karen Dexheimer of Wheaton, Illinois; fourteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Sara; and a special friend, Mary Chadwick.