John Dreier, a banker and friend from Norwalk, Wis., made the following remarks at Lon Priddle's April 24 memorial service in Chicago.

On the field of battle, courage is defined as the ability to ignore the terrible circumstances of conflict and death, and yet unselfishly lead and protect the persons under your care and command. Lon Priddle did just this with unselfish compassion and love, while fighting desperately to protect his children and defeat the cancer in his body.

Over the past six months, I had the opportunity to observe Lon during his battle with an insidious disease. I learned a great deal from these observations. What I saw was a man of intelligence, character, humor and courage who routinely subordinated his own requirements to the needs of others. This, my friends, is the true character of a man . . . enduring courage under fire. Nothing . . . nothing is more difficult or costly.