2nd Missile Battalion, 71st Artillery
(Taiwan) Association
271 Shady Oak Drive
New Market, AL 35761
<http://www.2-71adataiwan.com>
Volume 11
Newsletter 3
December 2007
In Memoriam
David J. Diedrich, Wein, WI, (D Btry),
died 26 September 2007
Jimmie E. Rogers, Silver City, NM (D Btry),
died 27 November 2007.
John P. Brokowski, Casselberry, FL (D Btry),
died 3 November 2007.
Obituaries
David John Diedrich. After battling an un-diagnosable
neurological illness for several years, David John Diedrich
was received home to the Lord on Wednesday, September
26, 2007 at the young age of 68. He was born to Alfred
and Erna (Nehrbass) Diedrich on April 3, 939 in Marathon
County.
David graduated from Athens High School in 957. He
served in the armed forces from 958-960. His passion in
life was driving tractor trailers covering 48 states. David
owned his own semi, hauling oversized freight for E.L. Mur-
phy for 8 years. Prior to David’s failing health, he hauled
for Tombstone Pizza (Kraft) nearly 20 years.
David will be greatly missed by his wife Phyllis (Callies)
Diedrich whom he married on August 3, 963 at St Johns
Lutheran Church (high steeple) town of Wein, Edgar. Two
daughters, Audrey (William) Klug, Menomonee Falls, Amy
Diedrich, Fitchburg and two grandchildren, Hannah and No-
lan Klug. Further survived by two brothers, James (Kath-
leen) Edgar and William, Missouri.
Waiting at heaven’s gate with open arms for David were
his mother Erna, father Alfred, sister Kendlyn, mother and
father-in-law, Francis and Herb Callies.
A memorial service will be held at a.m. on Saturday,
September 29, 2007 at St Johns Lutheran Church (high
steeple) town of Wein, Edgar.
Jimmie E. Rogers, 73, of Silver City, passed away
Wednesday, Nov. 28, in El Paso, Texas. Graveside funeral
services will be at a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Fort Bayard
National Cemetery, with Father Robert Ihlefeld officiating.
Full military honors will be by American Legion Post No.
8 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3347. Mr. Rogers
was born Sept. 2, 934, in Wagoner, Okla. He was the son
of Lynn Rogers and Vivian (Close) Rogers Hurst. He married
Ruth Ann Frymire on March 6, 963, in Silver City. He is
survived by his wife of 44 years, Ruth Ann “Duffy”; two
sons, Robert
Rogers and his wife, Theresa, of Oak Harbor, Wash., and
Don Rogers of Flower Mound, Texas; two grandchildren,
Brittany Rogers and Austin Rogers, both of Oak Harbor; and
one sister, Lynette Ziese of Stroud, Okla. He was preceded
in death by his parents. Mr. Rogers served with the U.S.
Army from 958-59 with the 2nd Missile Battalion (Nike-
Hercules) on a secret mission in Taiwan when Mao Tse-tung
threatened to take over Taiwan as a Chinese state. He worked
for the U.S. government as an electronics technician operat-
ing the radar installation at Brushy Mountain Radar Site, and
retired
in 2002 after 45 years service. He enjoyed tooled leath-
erwork and fishing. He was a member of the Church of the
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. He was a good husband,
father, grandfather and friend, and will be missed by all who
knew and loved him. Pallbearers will be Fred Chappell, Gary
Le Plattek, Mike Conner, Bob Burchette, Joe Pidutti and
Larry Himes. Honorary bearers will be Byrl Wilson, Sonny
Davis, Earl Whitson, Robert Jarrell and David Sierra.
Bright Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
John Brokowski, 72, of Casselberry, died on Tuesday, No-
vember 3, 2007 at home. He was born in Queens County,
NY in July of 935. John served in the U.S. Army and was a
veteran of the Korean Conflict. John retired from Rockwell
International in 995 where he worked on the lunar, space
shuttle and GPS programs. John enjoyed golf, fishing, and
restoring and showing off his 954 Nash Rambler (Rosie).
John was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
He is survived by his wife, Jan Barker-Brokowski; brother,
Joe (Sally); son, Bill (Laurie); daughters, Janet (Terry) and
Gail (Ken); step-daughter, Joy Barker, stepsons, Tom Barker
(Barb) and Tim Barker (Lienne) and five grandchildren.
John was predeceased by his first wife of 45 years, Terry,
son, John and grandson, Matthew. A Mass will be celebrated
at PM, Friday, November 6th at St. Stephens Catholic
Church, 575 Tuskawilla Road, Winter Springs. In lieu of
flowers the family requests donations be made in John’s
name to “Freedom is not Free”.
