Monday, November 14th, 2016
James Dicke
James Frederick Dicke (Jim), age 94, died at home November 11, 2016 following a struggle with cardiac issues.
A longtime New Bremen, Ohio resident, he was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ. On January 14, 2015, Jim lost his wife, Eilleen, to her long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. During almost 73 years of marriage, theirs was a story of love and partnership.
Jim was born January 30, 1922 in Ilion, New York to Carl Henry Dicke and Irene Kamman Dicke. He was raised in Dayton, Ohio, graduating from Stivers High School in 1939.
Jim was the oldest of three children, and is survived in his family of origin by his sister Mary Dicke Reed, and Mary's son and daughter. His sister Edna Dicke Vick proceeded him in death, as did Edna's husband, son and daughter.
Jim Dicke and Eilleen Webster Dicke married February 14, 1942. He was proud of his service during WWII as a Lieutenant Instructor in the Army Air Corps. The family was never far from their New Bremen, Ohio family roots; and, after his discharge from service in 1945, Jim and Eilleen moved to New Bremen with their infant son, Jim II. A son, Dane, would complete the family.
Jim was an honorary graduate of Culver Military Academy, and was awarded an honorary DBA by Ohio Northern University. He considered them both his schools.
In New Bremen, Jim worked with his father Carl, and other family members to found Crown Controls Company, which was initially a sales distributorship for home coal furnace controls. Today, the company has become Crown Equipment Corporation, a leading manufacturer of material handling equipment, currently in its fourth generation of leadership under his grandson, Jim Dicke III. At the time of his death, Jim was still serving as Crown's Chairman Emeritus.
Jim was grateful for and humble about a number of honors and opportunities for service he experienced during his long life. He and Eilleen were generous people.
Jim is survived by his sons Jim II (Janet) and Dane (Cindy). Jim II and Janet have a son Jim III (Katy) and a daughter Jennifer (Andrew Prewitt). Great grandchildren through Jim II are Alexander Dicke, Charles Dicke, Connor Prewitt, Owen Prewitt and Kyle Prewitt. Dane and his former wife Kerry have three daughters and a son, Anastasia (Jay Huelsman), Robin, Ashton, and Christopher. Great grandchildren through Dane are Allegra Huelsman and Liam Huelsman. Only Kerry proceeded Jim and Eilleen in death.
It should be stressed that Jim is also survived by a number of loving caregivers and friends who day after day, and year after year have been instrumental in providing Jim and his dear late Eilleen the caring support which was so important for all their good days. The family is overwhelmed with gratitude.
A celebration of life honoring both Jim and Eileen's lives will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 3:00 P.M. at St. Paul United Church of Christ Church in New Bremen, Ohio, with the Rev. Becky Erb Strang officiating. Burial will follow in the German Protestant Cemetery (For All Faiths) of New Bremen.
The family will be receiving friends who wish to pay their respects from 1:00 until 3:00 P.M. at the church.
A memorial fund has been established at the New Bremen Foundation, P.O. Box 97, New Bremen, OH, 45869. Donations may also be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home of New Bremen, Ohio is caring for the arrangements. Condolences to the Dicke family may be left online at gilberghartwigfh.com.
