DIKLICH, Donald - d. September 18, 2012

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Donald Diklich, of Fall River, Kansas, died Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at the age of 97 after a brief illness.  His parents, George and Sara Belish Diklich, immigrated to the United States from Serbia and settled in Conway, Pennsylvania outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Donald was the third of their twelve children, and he spent his youth in Conway.  During the hard times of the Depression, he had many jobs, the most interesting of which was his time as a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps helping to build American infrastructure in several states,

As war approached, Donald enlisted in the United States Army.  Although he had little formal education, he rose quickly to the rank of E5 Sergeant and was on active duty throughout World War II.  He was on the front lines in the European Theatre, primarily working to provide communications for advancing troops, and including service at the Battle of the Bulge.  Donald had many unusual experiences in his Army career.  He was a boxing champion for his regiment. He was a member of one of the last mounted units in the Army.he was selected to carry the flag in a Presidential inauguration parade. He once filled in as an orderly for General George S. Patton while on duty near Washington, D.C.

Donald was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, when he met Lillian Grace Bertenshaw, who was working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Manhattan.  They were married from 1942 until her death in 2001.  After the war ended, Donald and Lillian returned to her home town, of Fall River, Kansas, and he began life as a farmer in partnership with Lillian's father, L.J. Bertenshaw.  He was still living independently at the farm until a few weeks before his death.  He lived a full life, and he died as he lived, quietly and on his own terms.

Donald is survived by a son, Richard Diklich and his wife, Helen, Liberty, Missouri; three daughters, Alleen Castellani VanBebber, Overland Park, Kansas,  Kitty Shinkle and her husband, Donald, Mulvane, Kansas, and Neva Diklich, Fall River, Kansas.  He also leaves four grandchildren:  David Castellani, Andrew Shinkle, Jocelyn Diklich Standley, and Jennifer Diklich O'Brien; along with six great-grandchildren:  Adam and Rosemarie O'Brien, and Avery, Forrest, Rosemary, and Lucas Standley.

A memorial service will be held at the Fall River United Methodist Church on September 22 at 11:00 a.m.