Einar V. Dyhrkopp

Einar Victor Dyhrkopp 82, of Shaweetown, Illinois, passed away Saturday, December 06, 2008 at his home on Gold Hill Ranch surrounded by his loved ones.

Einar was born March 16, 1926 in Old Shawneetown, Illinois, to Victor and Vevith (Denton) Dyhrkopp. He graduated from Shawneetown High School in the spring of 1945. Einar was drafted into the United States Navy at the end of his Junior year of high school, he was called to serve on the U.S.S Aaron Ward (DM 34). Einar served two years in the Navy where he was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for his service during the Battle of Okinawa on the Aaron Ward as a picket ship on radar picket station. Aaron Ward (DM 34) took six direct hits from suicide planes, more than any other ship of its size.

Upon returning home from serving his country Einar married Frances Hope Sanders on December 14, 1946. In 1961 Einar started Gold Hill Ranch, a grain and livestock farm based in Shawneetown Illinois. While working in Shawneetown he was elected mayor, initiated a land development company, Dyhrkopp Development, specializing in housing and commercial building, and for 22 years he was a partner and Chief Operating Officer of Shawnee Cabinets Inc. He was a director of Illinois One Bank, and its predecessor in Shawneetown for 33 years. He also served as vice president of Illinois One Bancorp, the holding company for Illinois One Bank which was located in Shawneetown, Elizabethtown and Golconda. Einar was the President of Tecumseh International Corporation, a firm involved in coal energy trading. Einar was the President of his own corporate consulting firm, EVD Corporation. He was a life long Democrat and served on many Illinois State Commissions. Einar was active in numerous elections including Illinois State Legislators, United States Representatives, United States Senators, Illinois Governors and U. S. Presidents. Einar was a member of Equality Masonic Lodge #2, Scottish Rite Bodies, Shawneetown American Legion, the Shrine, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

In 1992 Einar was appointed elector to the Electoral College in and for the State of Illinois. In November 1993 President William Jefferson Clinton appointed Einar a Governor of the United States Postal Board, a post he held until December 8, 2002. During his tenure on the Postal Board he was elected Chairman and Vice Chairman by his peers.

Einar was a world traveler for business and pleasure. He visited Japan, Mexico, Panama, England and France during his time in the U.S. Navy. He also visited Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Canada, The Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Trinidad during vacations and business for the United States Postal Service. He also visited Point Barrow, Alaska, the northern most point in North America.

Einar and Frances were married 62 years and had one son, the late Anthony Wayne Dyhrkopp. Einar is survived by his wife, Frances Hope (Sanders) Dyhrkopp, a brother Felix Dyhrkopp, daughter-in-law Ellen (Lambert) Dyhrkopp, three grandchildren, Douglas Einar Dyhrkopp, Derek and Kara (Dyhrkopp) Brass, and Aaron Joseph Dyhrkopp.

Arrangements entrusted to Cox & Son Funeral Home, visitation from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, December 12, 2008 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shawneetown, Illinois. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 13, 2008 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shawneetown, Illinois, with viewing from 10:00 AM until funeral time. Rev. Jack Hall will officiate the service. Interment will be at Westwood Cemetery. Masonic rites and Military honors will be performed at the grave site.

In lieu of flowers, honorary donations can be made to Shawneetown American Legion or Equality Masonic Lodge #2.