MENDOTA - Delbert G. Truckenbrod, 69, died peacefully on June 21, 2019 in his home with his favorite daughter and the daughter he liked the best at his side.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2 at the Merritt Funeral Home with Rev. Harold Grafe officiating. Military rites will be provided by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Private burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on July 2 at the funeral home.

Delbert blessed his parents, Gerald and Clarice (Boltz) Truckenbrod with his arrival on Oct. 28, 1949. It is unsure if Delbert’s three brothers were pleased with the arrival of this new little boy, but they soon realized that it was great to have someone new to pick on.

Survivors include his “favorite” daughter, Tami (Scott) Buchanan of Mendota and the daughter “he liked the most,” Jennifer Truckenbrod of Mendota; five grandchildren, Brannon (Alana) Zinke of New Jersey, Katie Kendall of New Hampshire, Kyrsten Zinke of Colorado, Jake Buchanan of Rockford and Josh Buchanan of Mendota; three brothers, Ron (Karen) Truckenbrod of North Carolina, Dennis (Krystal) Truckenbrod of Texas and Roger (Diane) Truckenbrod of Sublette; the rose among the thorns, his one sister, Pat (Lori) Truckenbrod of South Carolina; one uncle, Ron (Wilma) Boltz of Earlville; two aunts, Gladys Brantner of Mendota and Fran Sellers of Paw Paw; and his former wife, Terri Holzner of Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, several aunts and uncles, and an infant grandson, Andrew.

Delbert was a 1967 graduate of Mendota High School. In January 1969, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Infantry. During his time serving in the 5th Infantry Division, he was stationed in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant with a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Metal with one Bronze Service Star and Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device. After leaving the military, he returned to Mendota and came to work in finance, which showed him a path in real estate. He went to college at IVCC where he got his real estate license and he owned and operated Century 21 in Mendota. In 1986, he moved to Peoria where he continued working and helping others. In 2011, he returned to Mendota and worked in security at Mendota Community Hospital until he retired. Delbert enjoyed making people laugh, woodworking, just “puttzing around” and being around his family. In his later years, he would say his favorite hobby was helping other people do nothing. He was proudest of his family’s military service. His dad was in the Army, mom was in the Navy, brother Ron was in the Air Force, brother Dennis retired from the Navy, brother Roger was in the Army, nephew Danny retired from the Navy, and grandson Brannon is currently serving in the Air Force. He once added up all the time that his family spent serving this country and believed it was over 60 years combined.

Memorials may be directed to the family.