"Dear Belva, I just heard from Ronna Fox H. about Denny's memorial. Ron and I had done a rubbing of Denny's name on the traveling Viet Nam memorial several years ago. He has been in our thoughts so often. We are pleased that your family finally can have some closure. Our love to you and your family. We knew you at Mather AFB- so long ago. Ron and Barbara Huffman"
In loving memory of
Dennis Lee Eilers
December 6, 1938 -
Memorial funeral services for Lt. Col. Dennis "Denny" Lee Eilers, 27, will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2012, at the First United Church of Christ in Tipton with the Rev. David Lorenzen officiating. There will be a time of visiting with friends and family that morning starting at 9:30 am until 10:30 am. Following the memorial service Denny will be given military honors at the Tipton Masonic Cemetery by the Tipton Veterans of Foreign War (Post #2537) and the Tipton American Legion (Post #123).
Dennis Lee Eilers was born on December 6, 1938 and was the elder son of Walter F. and Leone M. Wentzel Eilers. Denny, as he was known by friends and family, was born and raised on a farm in the Tipton area. He was active in many sports and school activities and graduated from the Tipton High School in 1957 and also graduated from Coe College in 1961. Denny was united in marriage to Belva Schnack in 1961.
Denny always dreamed of being a pilot and following the completion of the ROTC program at Coe he enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. Denny's final flight was on Christmas Eve, 1965, when his AC-47 aircraft was shot down over Laos. Although Denny's status was changed from MIA to KIA in 1977 nearly 4 ½ decades later the United States Air Force has positively identified the remains and other items found at the crash site as those members of the missing 6 man crew. The complete story has been detailed by Krista Clark in the Tipton Conservative over the past several weeks.
Lt. Col. Eilers is survived by his wife, Belva (Duffy) Schamberger of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sons, Curtis (Jodie) Eilers of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Brett (Rebecca) Eilers of San Francisco, California; his younger brother, Dean Eilers of Tipton, Iowa; grandchildren, Danica, Shana, Colton, Ruby and Hazel; several cousins and friends who have mourned his loss for many years.
The Patriot Guard will escort the funeral procession to the Tipton Masonic Cemetery for the symbolic burial and military graveside rites will be given to honor Denny who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Lt. Col. Eilers and the remains of the other crewmen will be honored and laid to rest in the Arlington National Cemetery on July 9, 2012 accompanied by the families of each flight crew member.
Tributes
"As a child I wore Capt. Eilers POW/MIA bracket. As an adult I'm a social studies teacher and every year on Veteran's Day I wear it and tell my students about him. I am thankful that he is home and forever grateful for his sacrifice for our nation. "
"Dear Belva and family, The entire Gehrls family wanted to extend our thoughts to you. So many years with no information must have been torturous. We hope your healing continues with this new information. All our best, Corrine"
"Although I didn't know you personally, I did know many children of fathers who served in Vietnam. I was a child of the 60s & 70s and wore several POW/MIA bracelets including one for my dear friend's father Lt Col Warren Lilly held in captivity for well over 7 years. My own father is a veteran of WWII and Korea. I remember all too well the stress & strain that my friends suffered while waiting anxiously to learn about their own fathers' fate. I also remember vividly the ugly display of rude disrespect by hordes of ungrateful fools spitting upon the returning soldiers and shouting vulgar epithets. It broke my heart and I vowed as a child never to let an opportunity pass to thank those in the service of our country. Thank you for your service, your ultimate sacrifice and bless your family for their long wait to have you home. "
"I have had a POW/MIA bracelet for all these years with Dennis' name on it. Every time I was in Washington or visited The Moving Wall I checked to see if there was any further information on Dennis. I was very pleased to see that he has finally come home. Welcome Home Dennis."
" To the Families of the Airmen: May the men of the AF "Spooky" Gun Ship all rest at the side of God. These men saved many, many lives of troops on the ground when called in for fire support. I know...I was one of them. They will not be forgotten. Ever. May the Good Lord grant you all Peace. SP4 Charles Otterstatter, US Army- 23rd ID (Americal) I Corps Republic of Vietnam, 1969 - 1970"
"My memories of Dennis Eilers come in the form of a POW/MIA bracelet that my mother has worn since early 1967. I was born shortly after, so for my entire life, thoughts, concerns, and prayers about him and his family have been prominent, especially at Christmas. When Sen. McConnell was just our county judge, he found out mom had worn Dennis' bracelet and as part of the first POW/MIA memorial, he invited her down and found what he could about him--birthdate, home of record, country of loss, and that his status had been changed recently to KIA/BNR. A good portion of my college time was spent in the university library, requesting and pouring over everything the Library of Congress and DoD had on the case, trying to find out what happened and whether he ever was found. When I would find pictures, I'd show them to her. Mom just happened to be over tonight, and we just happened to have on the news. And there was the story. I ran straight to the computer and looked up the story, and there was his name. It's been an hour and a half and mom still hasn't stopped shaking and I haven't stopped crying. If you would like to have it, my mother would like to return his bracelet to you. Either way, may God comfort you in this time of what must certainly be emotions mixed of several extremes. And I'm happy you got your "boy" back."
"I was 11 years old when this shattering news came on that Christmas Eve. My folks were best friends with Belva,s parents so we were called immediately and we went in to be with them. My mom, Hazel Andresen, cried when I told her but relieved that there is closure. "
"I babysat for Curt and Brett. I lived down Plum Str...not far from where they lived on 4th and Plum. They would show me the albums of their Dad in the service. Curt was so animated telling me stories... Brett with that blonde hair! I named my son Brett..I really liked that name!!"
"Dean and Family, Denny has been a part of my life since the early 70's when I received his bracelet. I never thought I would really know what happened to him, but am pleased to have met Dean and Curt in Washingtion in June 2005. Since that time, Dean has told me so much of Denny. Being the daughter, granddaughter,and neice of servicemen, I know that we cannot offer enough thanks for those in the service of our country, especially those that have given the ultimate sacrifice, like Lt. Col. Dennis Eilers. Eventhough the bracelet has been returned home, he and you (his family) will always be in my thoughts and prayers. A very grateful American. Diana Schouest "
"Dear Belva and Family, I remember a wonderful blended family at Arthur School. I have thought of your family over the years and the ultimate life that was given and the wife left behind to put lives back together and go on. Bless You! Hello to your boys and Duffy boys and daughter. From retired Arthur School librarian, Jeanne Sentman "
"I attended school with Denny from the 3rd grade through the 8th grade. Since I heard he was MIA, I have added my prayers over the years for both Denny and his family. I offer my condolences now - it is good there is finally some closure. "
"My first memory of Denny is when he moved into my room at Coe College our freshman year. We became best friends, fraternity brothers and fellow Air Force officers. Denny was also our wedding. Denny stopped to visit us on his way to Vietnam and we reminisced about old times. It was so devastating to hear of his plane being shot down and subsequent listing as MIA. I am proud of his dedicated service to his nation, even at the cost of his life. He's my hero!"
"Brett & Rebecca, Brett, with a heavy heart and sincere affection, my sympathy to you and your family. Connie Cohen (Nelson), formerly Iowa City, now Sioux City"
"I never had the honor of knowing Dennis, but I have had a bracelet with his name and the date he was shot down for about 45 years. So he has often been in my thoughts and prayers. Now my thoughts and prayers are with you as you say a final farewell at the memorial service. God bless you, always, Sandy Craig Des Moines"
"God Speed Dennis Eilers, you are finally home with your family and friends and the country you served. May you rest in peace. Iowans Care POW/MIA's Inc. Sherry L. King, MIA Sister, Muscatine"
"I saw the story on the news tonight about Denny. It brought back a lot of memories. My sincere condolence to Denny's family and friends. I know what the family has gone through. My brother was MIA 1969. Finally brought home to Lost Nation May 2003 Arlington November 2002. May Denny's family and friends find peace and closure. God Bless you all. Maggie O'Hara Monaghan sister of Robert C. O'Hara "
"My sincere condolences to Denny's family I did not know Denny but being the brother of a pow/mia I do know what his family has gone through.My brother's aircraft was shot down in South Vietnam in 1971 his name is Carl Palen from Dubuque Iowa, he is still missing. We hope to make it to the service on Saturday. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Dave & Elaine Palen -National League of POW/MIA Families from SE Asia"
"Belva and family and Dean All I can say at this time is finally Denny has come home and all of his family can now have a closure. My members of Denny are he was a classmate of my brother Rhea Alan Frederick, they both served in the Air Force and now they both will be buried in Arlington. Rhea passed away in 2000(cancer) and his family chose to have him buried at Arlington after serving nearly 20 plus years in the Air Force he deserved the honor to be put to rest there as Denny so richly deserves that honor also. Again thank God he is home and at peace. Jo Ann (Frederick) Dietz"
"My name is Lorna (Weih) Paul and I remember when Denny was MIA. My sincere condolences to his family"
"Our condolences to Belva and Denny's family, I was a fraternity brother of Denny and my wife was a sorority sister of Belva. We will always miss him. Dave and Judy (Johnson) Sibley"
"My sincere condolences to Brett and his family. Gretchen Schneider Kopecky"
"Holy cow Belva...who would have guessed after all this time? Wow, I don't know what to say. But at least you have some answers now. I wish I could come Saturday; I will be in Canada visiting my youngest. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts, and a big salute to Denny for the service he gave our country!!"
"I didn't know denny, but being the daughter of 2 former tipton residences, I wanted to express my deepest sympathies to you and your family, because if my parents were alive, they would have done what I am doing. My daddy was orville emrick, and my mom was Neva gardner. May GODS love always be with you and give you peace."
"I didn't know Denny, but I thank him for his sacrifice to our country. He had to be pretty cool to be married to Belva. From your dentist of a long time ago, Belva"
"My sincere condolences to the family. I am a Vietnam Vet from A/4 of the 3rd, 11th Brigade, Americal (1971) and was part of an operation called Lam Son 719, which supported the South Vietnamese for a push into Laos during this time. it was the last major operation of the War. I am so very glad that Denny's family can now have closure. My most sincere condolences to his family. S/P 4 Gerry "Sunshine" Thacker, Infantry"
"Thank you LTC Eilers for your service and your sacrifice. WELCOME HOME BROTHER!"
"Belva, I lived in Tipton a block from your home on Plum Street when Dennis went MIA. I will NEVER forget one of the boys coming to my house ( I wasn't very old) and asking me if I had a daddy. I was so devastated for him and I have to this day never forgotten that moment. I am glad Dennis can now be laid to rest at home. What a hero!"
"WELCOME HOME DENNY! BIG HAND SALUTE!! Ron Rife"
"Denny was a great guy in school. I remember he and Ron Wingert having motor scooters and riding them to school. Bless the family of Denny. Our 55th class reunion will be July 13-15. Too bad you didn't know and it could have been held when the class mates were in Tipton. We would have all been there to say our prayers and good-byes to Denny. "
"Dean, Belva and family, I am so glad Denny is home at last. I remember when Denny, Ronnie, and my brother Larry would hang out together as teenagers. I thought they were the coolest as only a little sister would . We all appreciate the sacrifice so many made during that time. Our prayers are with you. "
"Belva, I remember that date as it was yesterday. God Bless you as you finally have some ending to this. What a super nice man he was. I found his name on the Viet Nam memorial several times."