http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Thursday, July 4, 2024 15
Robert (Bob)
Paul Behnke, Sr.,
88, a lifelong Battle
Creek resident,
died peacefully
at Bronson Battle
Creek Hospital on
June 20, 2024.
Bob was born
August 9, 1935,
in Battle Creek,
Michigan, to
Franklin F. and
Nancy Larene (King)
Behnke. He attended Verona Elementary, gradu-
ating from Battle Creek Central High School in- After high school, he honorably served
two years in the U.S. Army. While in the Army,
Bob was stationed in Berlin, Germany, during
the building of the Berlin Wall. It was at this
time he learned the art of digging “foxholes.”
Many, many foxholes.
He began his employment with Behnke
Trucking Inc. as a truck driver in March 1954
and retired as a truck driver in 1988 with
Teamsters Local 34. Following retirement, he
began work in the company office for a number
of years. Bob was formerly married to the late
Hilda Criswell.
Surviving are two sons, Robert P. (Sarah)
Behnke, Jr. of Battle Creek, MI, David S. Behnke
of Kansas City, MO; eight grandchildren, Erin
(Eliot) Ure, Phillip Owen, Ashley (Tony) Gancer,
Zachary (Victoria) Behnke, Nathan (Amber)
Behnke, Tyler Behnke, Caliee Behnke, Sara
Behnke; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Karl
Behnke of Marshall, MI; and several cousins,
nieces, nephews and their families.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents
and a brother, Frederick Behnke.
Bob was a proud member of Teamster Local- In his younger years, he enjoyed building
cars and racing with his brothers and friends.
He continued his love of racing as a NASCAR
fan. He was a proud Harley-Davidson owner
and a snowmobile enthusiast. He was also
known as a huge University of Michigan fan.
Bob also took great enjoyment in following the
Behnke/Bud City League baseball teams for
many years. He will be remembered as a loving
father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a
good friend to all who knew him.
At the request of the family, a private service
was held at Fort Custer National Cemetery on
Thursday, June 27, 2024, with full honors by
the Fort Custer Honor Guard and the U.S. Army
Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the
VA Medical Center for the Recreation Fund, B.C.
VA Medical Center, Community & Volunteer
Service (135), 5500 Armstrong Road, Battle
Creek, MI 49037.
Arrangements are by
Farley Estes Dowdle
Funeral Cremation
Preneed Care. Personal
messages for the family
may be placed at http://www.
farleyestesdowdle.com.
BATTLE
Obituaries CREEK
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Kelly L. O’Connor 1106 S. Kalamazoo Avenue, Marshall, Michigan 49068 Timothy D. Bennett
269.781.8460 • http://www.oconnorbennett.comYOUR PARTNERS IN ESTATE PLANNING AND PROBATEJustin Keith
Bailey, Jr., 18,
passed away
unexpectedly on
Saturday, June
22, 2024. Born
to Tosha and
Justin Bailey, Sr.
on February 9,
2006, in Battle
Creek, Michigan,
Justin’s life was
characterized
by his infectious
laughter, kindness, and deep love for his
family and friends.
He was an avid outdoorsman who found
solace and adventure in hunting and fish-
ing. His passion for working on his car
was more than a hobby; it was a testa-
ment to his meticulous nature and his love
for hands-on creativity. Music was another
of Justin’s joys, providing a soundtrack to
his life’s many moments. Justin’s sense of
humor was his superpower.
His legacy is one of laughter and love.
Those who knew Justin will remember his
great sense of humor, his loyalty, and hisenormous heart. Every action he took was
infused with purpose, and he approached
life with a kindness that touched everyone
he met. The words “funny,” “loving,” and
“kind” only begin to describe the remark-
able person that Justin was.
He is survived by his mother, Tosha
Bailey; father, Justin (Stacee) Bailey, Sr.;
siblings Makayla Bailey, Madison Ronning
and Mariah Bailey; niece, Braeleigh Rose;
nephew, Waylon; maternal grandparents,
Mike (Carmen) Dilno; paternal grandpar-
ents, Tammy (Joe) Jorena; his brother
from another mother and more than a best
bud, Dallas Rine; girlfriend, Jackie Teske;
and many loved cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grand-
father John “Backa” Soule and his uncle
Boo Williams.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 1,
2024, from 4-7 p.m. at Bachman Hebble
Funeral Service. Funeral services will be
held on Tuesday at noon at Bachman
Hebble. Burial will be at Porter Cemetery
in Marshall, MI.
Arrangements by Bachman Hebble
Funeral Service. (269) 965-5145/www.
bachmanhebble.comDaniel Roger
Dickinson, 63,
of Battle Creek
passed away
June 15, 2024.
Daniel was
born Dec. 12,
1960, in St.
Charles, Mo.,
to Ronald
Dickinson and
Joan (Cooper)
Culp. He was a
1979 graduate
of Harper Creek High School. He served
his country honorably in the Air Force dur-
ing the Gulf War. He was very proud of
his military service and was a member of
the VFW. He was also an avid outdoors-
man and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He
especially loved spending time with his
grandkids.
Daniel is survived by his wife, Tracy
Dickinson; son Kyle Roger (Alyssa)
Dickinson of Midland, Mich., and grand-children Adley and Brooks Dickinson;
daughter Erica (Dagan) Inman of Carson
City, Mich., and grandchildren Zoey, Chloe
and Dagan, Jr.; brother Allen (Terry)
Dickinson of Layton, Utah; and father
Ronald Dickinson of Oklahoma City, Okla.
Daniel will be interred at Fort Custer
National Cemetery with full military honors
on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at noon.
Personal messages for his family may
be shared at http://www.farleyestesdowdle.com.Susan “Su”
Lonchar, born
on August 31,
1952, passed
away peace-
fully at home on
June 15, 2024,
with her son and
grand pups at
her side.
She found
immense joy
in feeding and
watching the wild
birds around her home and had a special
fondness for the tree in her backyard. Su
cherished camping trips and visits to Lake
Michigan. Known for her super stubborn
spirit, she was also a hard-working and
loving mother.
Susan is survived by her two children,
Ariel and Daniel Lonchar.
Su’s life will be celebrated by those who
knew and loved her. A celebration of her
life will be held at a later date, allowing
family and friends to come together to
honor her memory.
Su’s presence will be deeply missed,
but her spirit will live on in the hearts of all
who were fortunate enough to know her.