Richard E. Dill

Richard E. “Pickles” Dill, 83, of South Bend formally of St. Joseph, went home to heaven to be with his Precious Savior on January 15, 2012 at the Sanctuary at Holy Cross Indiana. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 19, 2012 at Napier Parkview Baptist Church, 245 W. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor with pastor J.O. Hosler officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Thursday at the Church. Memorials may be made to Crossworld Missions, where his daughter, Lois, and son-in-law, Virgil, serve. Those wishing to share a memory of Richard may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Richard was born March 10, 1928 in Benton Harbor, MI to Reinhold & Olga (Stubelt) Dill. After attending school in Benton Harbor he joined the Navy in 1946 and served our country in the Medical Corp at Pearl Harbor. When Richard received his honorary discharge he returned home to marry his bride, Barbara Buchanan on October 9, 1948. Their union was blessed with five children. He provided for them by working as a plumber. Eventually Richard earned his master’s license and had a small plumbing business of his own. His greatest passion was his church. Richard served at Napier Parkview Baptist church as a Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and on the Deacon Board. He faithfully read the Bible every day. After retirement he loved to collect models of classic cars and build amazing replications of buildings out of popsicle sticks, including buildings that were on his grandfather’s farm. Richard loved to brag about his 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. They were his pride and delight. Richard lived his last seven years in the South Bend, Indiana area to be close to family. Richard is survived by his children Richard (Marilyn) Dill of Jacksonville, FL, Jeanne (Norbert) Stubel of South Bend, IN, Lois (Virgil) Reeves of Kanas City, MO, Beverly (Rodger) Wesner of Rolling Meadows, IL; son-in-law Mark (Dee) Krueger of Africa; 15 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; sister Bonnie Joiner of Benton Harbor; brothers Edward, Alfred and Robert Dill of Coloma. Richard was preceded in death and welcomed home by his parents, wife Barbara Dill, and daughter Annette Krueger.