OBITUARY FROM POST-TRIBUNE, JUNE 23, 2009:

Bruce E. "Deke" Dekema, age 53 of Hobart passed away Sunday, June 21, 2009. He was born on September 4, 1955 in Gary, Indiana to the late Wilbur E. and Lorene Dekema. He was a lifetime Hobart resident and a member of the Hobart First Christian Church. Bruce retired from U.S. Steel and was a huge NASCAR fan and he loved making people laugh.

He is survived by his sister, Barbara Dekema of Hobart, IN; 3 nephews, Chuck (Hope) Pilbean of North Charlston, SC; Mike Pilbean of Hanahan, SC; Eric Pilbean Elizabethton, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur E. and Lorene Dekema.

Funeral services are Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, 600 West Old Ridge Road with Pastor Steven R. Campbell officiating. Cremation will follow. Visitation is Thursday, June 25, 2009 just prior to the service from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel. Call (219) 942-2109 or online at www.Reesfuneralhomes.com.

This information was obtained from: http://legacy.post-trib.com/obituaries/posttribune/obituary.aspx?n=Bruce-Dekema&pid=128800752.