Barrington man a great father, distinguished officer

Delbert J. Mittelhauser's first day of active duty in the Army was the same day as the Korean War cease-fire.

So instead of being sent into the battle, he was stationed in Germany for two years.

Mr. Mittelhauser went onto a long and distinguished career with the Barrington police force.

He passed away Sunday at his home in Whitewater, Wis., after a battle with cancer. He was 73.

Family and friends will remember him during funeral services Saturday.

"He was really a very kind man," said Mr. Mittelhauser's wife Marilyn. "He had a great sense of humor, even right up until the very end."

Born Oct. 15, 1933, in Oak Park, Mr. Mittelhauser attended York High School in Elmhurst and then Elmhurst College before being called into Army in 1953.

After the Army, Mr. Mittelhauser moved to the Barrington area and became a police officer.

Current Barrington Deputy Police Chief Jerry Libit said Mr. Mittelhauser held several positions in his 23 years with the force, including time as a chief for a bit.

He was also a member of the department's special police unit for four years and was vice president of the police pension board for 10.

He was very cordial, helpful and friendly, Libit said.

Besides his work with Barrington police, Mr. Mittelhauser also was the director of security for the Barrington branch of Harris Bank.

"I think he enjoyed helping people," Marilyn Mittelhauser said.

Mr. Mittelhauser was also a member of the American Legion in Barrington, the Illinois Police Association and Barrington Rotary Club.

Dedicated to their family, the Mittelhausers, who married in 1953, moved to Whitewater in 2002 to be closer to their daughter.

"He was a very devoted daddy," Marilyn Mittelhauser said.

In addition to her, survivors include daughter Patricia Brellenthin of Whitewater and granddaughter Rebekkah Mittelhauser of Cary. He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Viola, his brother, Warren and son John Jay.

Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday and from 10 a.m. until the time of the services Saturday, at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Davenport Family Funeral Home, 149 W. Main St., Barrington. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Barrington.