John Dettman

John Frederick Dettman, 85, of Decatur, died 12:15 A.M. Tuesday, October 4, 2011, at St. Mary's Hospital. Private family inurnment will be held Friday, October 7, at North Fork Cemetery, with bagpipe accompaniment. Military rites will be conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorial services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Sunday, October 9, at First Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church. Mr. Dettman was born July 26, 1926, in Danville, Illinois, the son of Henry J. and Mathilda R. Burkhardt. He graduated from Danville High School in 1944. He excelled in track and tennis, golf, and he pitched in semi-pro softball in Danville. Mr. Dettman married Wanda Bridgman November 27, 1949, in Danville, Illinois at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He served in the United States Army Air Corp, Ferrying Command and Air Transport Command from 1943-1950, active and reserve. He received the Air Medal for Berlin Airlift. Mr. Dettman was a printer and in advertising at Herald and Review for 40 years. He had previously also worked at Signal Depot, Bell Telephone and Western Electric, and Modern Machine Shop at Koehn Motors in Danville. Mr. Dettman volunteered at the Children's Museum, Scovill Zoo, and the Macon County Conservation District. He was an election judge, Hickory Point #2, and a member of First Lutheran Church, where he sang in the choir, was Sunday school Superintendent, youth sponsor, and a member of the church council. He was also a member of American Legion Post #105, Stephen Decatur Lodge #979 Mason, and a life member of the Elks 401. He is survived by his wife Wanda of Decatur; brother-in-law Stephen Bridgman (Fausta) of Roswell, GA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Kenneth Dettman. The family would like to especially thank Dr. Rademacher and the nurses at St. Mary's Hospital for their compassion and loving care given to John during his journey. "
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