Ivan James DeBaecke, 91, of the Villages, FL, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2015. Mr. DeBaecke was born on December 23, 1923 in David City, Nebraska to Julius and Julia DeBaecke. Mr. DeBaecke spent 25 years in the United States Navy, serving in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. His service began in 1941 when at 17 years of age he signed up for military service six months before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He retired from the Navy in 1966 as a CWO3 attached to VF-151 at NAS Miramar serving as the squadron avionics officers. He was deployed aboard the USS Coral Sea during the initial air strikes on North Vietnam with this deployment lasting just short of 12 months. Mr. DeBaecke was a patriot at heart and served his country with dignity and bravery. In 2013, DeBaecke was one of 26 World War II Veterans that participated in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. where they were greeted by U.S. Representatives and were able to visit the World War II Memorial. He is preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Cooke DeBaecke and daughter Susan Marie Clink. He is survived by wife Phyllis Young DeBaecke, sons Ivan DeBaecke, Jr. (Carol) U.S. Navy retired, Charles DeBaecke (Linda) U.S. Navy retired, and Bob (Deborah) of Fairview, Tennessee, 10 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.
