Reuben D. Deerhake, 84, Sun City West, Ariz., died at 1:30 a.m. March 7, 2013, in Sun City West.

He was born June 22, 1928, in New Knoxville to LeRoy and Laura Vordermark Deerhake, who are deceased. He married Pauline Howard on May 10, 1947, and she died Nov. 22, 2012.

He is survived by his three brothers, the Rev. Marvin (Mary) Deerhake of Bicknell, Ind., Robert (Sandy) Deerhake of New Knoxville and Gene (Mary) Deerhake of Marblehead and numerous nieces and nephews.

Also deceased is a brother, Lee Deerhake.

He was a 1946 graduate of New Knoxville High School and a graduate of Antioch College in Yellow Springs and the Spartan Aeronautical School in Tulsa, Okla. He was a veteran of the United States Merchant Marines.

He was an avid pilot and charter pilot and was founder of the Neil Armstrong Airport in New Knoxville. He retired from Eastman Kodak Research Center in Rochester, N.Y. He was a research engineer.

He was a member of First United Church of Christ in New Knoxville.

Funeral rites are 3 p.m. Sunday at First United Church of Christ in New Knoxville, the Rev. Dr. David Williams officiant. Burial will follow at Pilger Ruhe Cemetery.

Calling is 1 p.m. until the time of services Sunday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Student Seminary Educational Grant Fund of the church.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Vornholt-Miller Funeral Home, New Knoxville. Condolences may be left at Millerfuneralhomes.net.