Veteran services at Gladfelter Funeral Home
Gladfelter Funeral Home serves veteran families in Ottawa, IL with military funeral planning. In their own words: "Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home offers specialized Veterans Services, and their staff includes a U.S. Army veteran, Jordan Roetker, who is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the American Legion Post 33 in Ottawa." On-site amenities include chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $4,900 for basic burial and $2,175 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation services, burial services, and veterans services. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
On-site facilities of note include chapel. These spaces accommodate full military honors details, family gatherings before and after the service, and the placement of the United States flag during the visitation period.
Published pricing at Gladfelter Funeral Home: direct cremation from $2,175. That places direct cremation roughly 13% below the Illinois median ($2,495). Veterans who served on active duty for at least 24 months may qualify for VA burial allowance to offset funeral costs — this home accepts assignment of those benefits where eligible.
The nearest VA national cemetery is Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in IL, approximately 36 miles from Gladfelter Funeral Home. Gladfelter Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Illinois has approximately 1,192 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Gladfelter Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Gladfelter Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,175. Eligible veterans can offset these costs with a VA burial allowance, and burial in a VA national cemetery is provided at no charge.
Where is Gladfelter Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Gladfelter Funeral Home is located at 1601 East Norris Dr. in Ottawa, IL. You can reach the home at (815) 433-0097. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Gladfelter Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Gladfelter Funeral Home provides funeral services, cremation services, personalization, burial services, veterans services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Gladfelter Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home offers specialized Veterans Services, and their staff includes a U.S. Army veteran, Jordan Roetker, who is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the American Legion Post 33 in Ottawa.
Which faith traditions does Gladfelter Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Methodist, Christian (Non-Denominational) families, among others.
What sets Gladfelter Funeral Home apart
- Established in 1862, providing over 160 years of continuous service to the Ottawa community.
- Operates from a modern, ground-level facility dedicated in 1998, replacing a historic downtown location.
- Offers specialized preplanning services with a dedicated Preplanning Specialist.
- Provides comprehensive Veterans Services, supported by a U.S. Army veteran on staff.
- Current owners, John and Vicki Roetker, are actively involved in daily operations and local community organizations.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Burial Services
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Illinois Funeral Directors Associations
- · National Funeral Directors Associations
Specializations
- · Preplanning
- · Grief Support
- · Veterans Services
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Methodist, Christian (Non-Denominational).
Branches of service supported
Based on the home's stated services and specializations, Gladfelter Funeral Home has documented experience supporting the following branches:
EverSettled · After the Veteran Funeral
The veteran's spouse may qualify for VA Dependency & Indemnity Compensation.
DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses, dependent children, and (in some cases) parents of veterans whose death is service-connected. EverSettled walks veteran families through DIC eligibility, survivor pension, life-insurance claims, probate, and the federal-account paperwork that follows.
Begin Veteran Estate SettlementHow honors are coordinated
Military funeral honors are guaranteed at no cost for any veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The funeral home arranges the honors detail by contacting the deceased's last unit or the nearest active-duty installation of the appropriate branch and submitting the DD-214 to verify eligibility.
For requests less than 72 hours from service time, families can call the Department of Defense's expedited honors line at 1-877-MIL-HONR (1-877-645-4667). See the full honors protocol.