Wayne Dickerhoff

September 5, 1930 - September 20, 2021

Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, Wayne Dickerhoff, passed away on Sept. 20, 2021 due to injuries from a tragic car accident. He was ninety-one years old. Wayne was born on Sept. 5, 1930 in Denver, Indiana. Proceeding him in death were his parents, Victor Dickerhoff and Josephine Waggoner, his wife of 52 years Mary (Geledie) Dickerhoff, his son, Private 1st Class Terry Dickerhoff who died in Vietnam, his granddaughter, Molly Miller, his grandson, Rob Miller, and step-sons, Dennis Lozier and Douglas (Angelica) Lozier, both of Green Valley, AZ. He is survived by his daughters, Beth Trzcinski of Fishers, IN, Deborah Littleton of Pendleton, SC, Amy Howell of Bridgeport, OH, his step-daughter, Diana (Lozier) Beane of St. Louis, MO, seventeen grandchildren, nineteen great- grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Wayne was primarily raised by his grandparents who farmed in Denver, IN, giving him an early appreciation for hard work and horses. Growing up, from a young age he farmed, milked cows and broke horses and trained horses. He was particularly fond of his white Arabian Stallion, given to him as a teenager. He rode it down the streets of Denver, much to the dismay of the town marshal! He also competed in rodeos. Although his formal education was limited by the privations of the great depression and World War II, he was very bright, determined and studious, eventually attaining the equivalent of a degree in Electrical Engineering. From a young age, Wayne dreamed of being a pilot and collected pictures of WW II planes. At the age of 83 he finally achieved his goal, buying a two-seater plane and obtaining his pilot’s license. In 1947 he married Betty Minor. Together they had four children, Terry, Debbie, Beth and Amy. In 1963 he met and married Mary, while working at an Essex wire plant. Wayne was also a step-father to Mary’s three children, Dennis, Diana and Douglas. He was a loving father to all of his children. Together, Wayne and Mary proceeded to build an amazing, successful life together as business owners, managers and real estate entrepreneurs. In 1964 they opened the Lake of the Woods Campground in Bremen, IN and entertained hundreds of campers and visitors to the lake. In 1972 they relocated to El Paso, TX where they managed a Mexican wire harness plant with over 400 employees. Missing their family, they returned to Lake of the Woods in 1975 and owned and managed a wire manufacturing plant, DLS Electric in Bremen, IN, eventually selling the plant in 1979. They next ventured into real estate, eventually buying and renovating over 18 houses at the lake. In 1982, Wayne and Mary bought and operated Casey’s Nightclub in Plymouth, IN, until selling it in 1988 before retiring in 1989. Tiring of the Northern Winters, Wayne and Mary became “snowbirds” in 2007, spending summers at the Lake and wintering in Green Valley, AZ, where they continued to busy themselves by renovating retirement homesteads. In summary, although the phrase “self-made” man can be overused, it is a perfect description of the life of Wayne Dickerhoff. He was successful, but always caring about others, helping many first-time home buyers achieve home ownership by often self-financing their purchases. Farmer, father, husband, business owner, senior manager, engineer, entrepreneur, pilot and friend to all just begin to describe a life very well lived. Wayne never knew a stranger. He was loving and generous to the core. Since the family is widely scattered, Wayne’s internment will occur in Plymouth, IN, in the Spring of 2022 next to his wife, son and step-son. There will be a reception in his honor following the graveside service from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. at The Lake of the Woods Club House, 3133 Channelwood Lane, Bremen, IN 46506.

Remembrances can be made to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), the Wounded Warrior Project, and Vietnam Veterans of America, in honor of his son, Terry, who paid the ultimate price for his country, or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mishlerfuneralhomes.com