Richard William Dykens, age 83, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2009 at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, FL. He was born September 28, 1925 in Kalamazoo, MI, son of Frederick J. Dykens and Helen M. Dykens (Brady). He is survived by his devoted wife, Ruth Eileen Dykens (Carey), and three children: Joan Dykens, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Mark (Deb) Dykens, Battle Creek, Michigan, and Cheryl (Robert) Winegar-Schussler, Tampa, Florida. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Darren Dykens, Derek Dykens, Danielle Dykens, Laura Winegar-Rich and Jamie Winegar-Suarez, and five great-grandchildren, residing in Florida. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Gordon and Barb Dykens, Kalamazoo, Michigan, and four nieces. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and received a B.S. degree in Business from Western Michigan University, where he was a charter member of Delta Sigma fraternity. He enlisted and served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II as a radarman in the Pacific. Richard retired from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company of Battle Creek after 20 years of service, where he was sales manager, and received numerous awards and recognitions, including Salesman of the Year. During his career, he belonged to the National Association of Life Insurance Underwriters. Prior to Met Life, he worked for Standard Oil for many years. For the past 18 years, Richard and Ruth Dykens have spent winters in Fort Myers, FL, where he served on the board of his retirement community. Richard was an active member of the Knights of Columbus #8440 in North Fort Myers, FL, Loyal Order of the Moose #2199 in Cape Coral, FL, American Legion Post #298 in Battle Creek, MI, and St. Jerome Catholic Church in Battle Creek, MI. Richard enjoyed having fun with family, golfing, dancing, traveling, cooking, swimming and the water, and the Tigers. Richard was a devoted and loving family man who loved his grandchildren and will be missed deeply by all his family and friends. Visitation will be at Bachman Hebble Funeral Service on Thursday, April 23, 2009 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 24, 2009, 10:30 a.m. at St. Jerome Catholic Church with Rev. Father Joseph Xavier of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Deacon Gary Wright of St. Jerome Catholic Church officiating. Burial service will be at the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI directly following the funeral service. Reception will follow at St. Jerome Catholic Church. Memorial tributes can go to the scholarship fund for Catholic Schools of Battle Creek, the American Diabetes Association, or the American Heart Association. Arrangements by the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, a member by invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes. (269) 965-5145 www.bachmanhebble.com


Published in the Battle Creek Enquirer on 4/23/2009