James E. Dellenback
James Edward Dellenback, age, 87 of Sandwich, IL formerly of Hinckley, IL passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born in Aurora, IL on April 14, 1935 to Ervin and LaVon Dellenback. He attended Hinckley schools and loved high school, especially sports. He was the short stop on the baseball team, the sprinter on the track team and helped lead his basketball team to a 27-4 record, receiving First Team All-Conference Honors by a vote of the coaches of the Little Ten. His teammates selected him captain in 1953. He later attended the University of Illinois and Aurora College.
Jim married Sally Bark in 1957. He worked for Fox Valley Drywall for 10 years before starting his own business, Dellenback Drywall, which he ran for 38 years.
He was a big New York Yankees fan with his heroes being Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, whom he saw play many times in Chicago.
Jim’s favorite movies were “The Sting,” “Stripes,” “Patton,” “Blues Brothers” and all of the Bond movies starring Roger Moore.
At his high school reunions, Jim loved roasting his classmates and was delighted when they got him back.
Jim retired at age 70 to pursue his hobbies of reading about World War II, splitting firewood and watching Major League Baseball. He was an NRA member and life member of the Loyal Order of Moose.
He was preceded in death by Sally Dellenback, his parents Ervin and LaVon Dellenback, his brother Charles Dellenback and his sister Barbara Dellenback.
Jim is lovingly survived by his daughters, Lori (John) Carey of Sandwich, IL, Jeanne (Doug) Skelton of Perkasie, PA, and Karen (Steve) Erhart of Paw Paw, IL. Jim leaves ten grandchildren, Erin (Will) Hope, Megan Carey (Gerardo) Alvarez, Kristin Carey (Ike) Murov, Matthew and Drew Johnston, Jessica Erhart, David (Rachel) Erhart, Daniel Erhart, as well as two step-granddaughters Jessica (Mike) Frankenfield, Stephanie (Bill) Zilen. Jim also has 16 great grandchildren.
Honorary Pallbearers are Jim’s former classmates Doug Engel, Ron Bastian, Bob Morsch, Jerry Morsch, Roger Skartveit and Roger Bushnell.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, October 21, 2022 at Nelson Funeral Home, 1010 West South Street, Plano, IL. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Hinckley, IL.
Friends may visit from 10:00 AM until the hour of Service on Friday, October 21, 2022 at the Nelson Funeral Home in Plano, IL.
Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com or 630-552-7211.
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