Robert L. Dressen, 91, of Litchfield, died at 3:10 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at the Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Care in Litchfield. He wanted to be the oldest living Dressen and he met his goal.
Mr. Dressen was born at his family’s home on Jan. 19, 1931, in Decatur, to Harry Edward and Dora (Linthicum) Dressen, the fifth child of six children. He married Jean Caroline Laws on Dec. 29, 1950, in Hillsboro, and she preceded him in death on Feb. 8, 1994. Mr. Dressen was a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean War from 1951 until 1953.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 5, at Litchfield Family Funeral Service. A Celebration of Life will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 6, at the funeral home. Pastor Cynthia Munker, minister of Mt. Zion Church in Litchfield and Mrs. Lynne Taylor will co-celebrate the life of Mr. Dressen. Inurnment will take place at the Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield. Litchfield Family Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mr. Dressen was very active in sports playing football, basketball and track for the Litchfield Panthers and graduated with the Litchfield High School class of 1949. He was also a long time member of the Moose Lodge in Litchfield.
Mr. Dressen worked as a telegraph operator for the Walbash Railroad for over 20 years and later became a truck driver for Brunton, Schmidt Trucking, Artem, Tate Cheese and others. He loved driving the truck and met many famous people at truck stops late at night, including Bob Hope. He was also a janitor for the Litchfield School District, Litchfield Library and assisted at TM Taylor and babysat for his grandson, Dustin.
Mr. Dressen loved to be around horses and took time to exercise them for folks around the area. He had a beloved horse of his own named Babe. Mr. Dressen was also an avid reader. He especially liked authors Jack London and James Miechner
He never met a stranger and always said, “I’m luckiest man in the world to have my family.” Mr. Dressen was willing to help anyone with anything. He often asked “What can I do you for?” He said these things at the nursing home too. He was jovial, kind, funny, helpful, gregarious, laughed, smiled and loved people and life.
Mr. Dressen is survived by his children, Nancy (husband Donald) Dressen-Krefft of Litchfield, Dr. Frederick Joseph (wife Joni) Dressen of Riverton, UT, Lisbeth Ann (husband James “Jim”) Klaustermeier of Benld, Douglas James (wife Karyl) Dressen of Coffeen and Caroline Neta (husband Gary) Thompson of Madison, WI; grandchildren, Laura Hall, Gregory and Paul Dressen, Jill Delgado, Dustin Krefft and Brad Klaustermeier; 15 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Carol Dressen of Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Harry Edward Dressen, Jr., Mary Dressen, Clementine Frick, Grace Melton and William Dressen; brothers-in-law, Louis Frick and Jim Melton; grandsons, Jimmy Dressen, Jeff Klaustermeier; and great-grandson, Deacon Krefft.
The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to Adopt-A-Pet Shelter in Benld, Litchfield Library or Hearts United, both in Litchfield. Condolences may be left online at www.litchfieldffs.com.
