Richard 'Dick' Wesley' Cordill
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Richard ‘Dick’ Wesley Cordill
MISHAWAKA – Richard "Dick" Wesley
Cordill, 89, passed away on Sunday, July
28, 2019.
Dick was born on May 20,
1930, to Clara Mae and
Archie Cordill in Columbia
City, Ind. He became a
renowned athlete in both high school
and college. He graduated from the
United States Military Academy at West
Point, N.Y., in May 1953, upon which he was commissioned
as an officer in the United States Army. He served posts in
Georgia, Colorado, California and Alaska. He also received a
master's degree in business administration from Michigan
State University and later completed a program at
Dartmouth College for senior industry executives.
Dick married Judith Jean Stoner on Nov. 7, 1953, and they
have had 65 great years together. He went on to work for The
Bendix Corporation aerospace engineering department in
South Bend during the height of the space program and
development of jet and rocket propelled aircraft. In the
1970s, his career moved to the recreational vehicle industry,
most notably with Starcraft Corporation and the Wickes
Companies. Later, he moved into the metals industry, which
led Judy and him to a five-year sojourn to Moultrie, Ga. He
returned to Mishawaka thereafter and spent the rest of his
working career with Patrick Industries and then with good
friend Harold Wyland and his family in marine-related businesses.
He was also a very active member of the Presbyterian
Church in the cities they lived, serving as a member of
Session, a deacon and an elder.
Dick and Judy have five boys and now 12 grandchildren.
Their family has been the cornerstone and defining element
of their life. The boys are Rexford (Jane), of Granger, Ind.;
Stephen (Carolyn), of Houston, Texas; Jeffrey (Jane), of
Zionsville, Ind.; Todd (Holly), of East Lansing, Mich.; and Kirk
(Wendy), of Oakbrook, Ill. He is also survived by his brother,
David Cordill; and sister, Marcia Clupper; as well as sistersin-
law, Bonnie Able and Marty Walters.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother,
Jack Cordill.
Dick was an avid high school and college sports fan. His
real love was sailing, which began at West Point and continued
throughout his life with his boys. He sailed with them
many summers off Cape Cod, though consistently for over 40
years on Diamond Lake. In his later years, he and Rex
enjoyed many evening sails together during weeknights on
Diamond.
The family will have a visitation on Thursday evening,
Aug. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m., and a funeral service on Friday, Aug.
2, at 10 a.m. at Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, 115 S.
Frances St., South Bend, Ind. The church will host a light
reception at 11 a.m., and then at noon all family and guests
will travel to South Whitley, Ind., for a graveside service,
where Dick will be laid to rest near other family.
Arrangements have been made together with Sunnyside
Presbyterian Church and Palmer Funeral Home-Hickey
Chapel.
*****
Memorials to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517,
Topeka, KS 66675.
Online condolences may be left for the family at
www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
