ELKHART -- Richard Charles "Dick" De Lanater, 81, of Elkhart, died at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday (April 14, 2009) in his home.

He was born June 25, 1927, in Vicksburg, Mich., to William and Beatrice De Lanater. On Jan. 24, 1953, he married Kathleen A. Bucklin Bane in South Bend.

She survives along with one daughter, Barbara (Richard) Wolf of Elkhart; one son, John M. Bane Jr. of Chapel Hill, N.C.; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Beverly (Robert) Sage of Cliffton, N.J.

One daughter, Beverly Flanagan, and three siblings, Irene Ryder, Roberta Dexter and William De Lanater, preceded him in death.

Mr. De Lanater worked in Michiana as a salesman in the RV business for more than 25 years, and as a substitute teacher at Elkhart Community Schools for many years. An avid fan of the University of Michigan (his alma mater), Mr. De Lanater was also an active member of Winding Waters Brethren Church. He enjoyed being with his family.

Mr. De Lanater was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II stationed at a naval hospital in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, as a corpsman.

Friends may call one hour prior to Saturday's 2 p.m. funeral service at Winding Waters Brethren Church, 420 C.R. 4 W., Elkhart. Pastors Scott Turskey and Ron Walters will officiate. Military honors will be rendered at the church by the Elkhart DAV Chapter 19 and the U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Guard. Burial of Mr. De Lanater's cremated remains will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Gardens, Kalamazoo, Mich., at a later date.

Memorials may be given to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.