Walter Stephen Vautier - generally known as Steve - died last Sunday.
He was the president of Whanganui's Returned & Services Association (RSA) from 1994-97, and had been a high-ranking noncommissioned officer in the New Zealand Defence Force.
He served in Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam, across 20 years that started in the 1950s.
Mr Vautier took an active interest in the welfare of fellow service people, and was on the RSA's welfare trust.
On Anzac Days he was usually to be found brewing the coffee and rum mixture served after the annual service.
The bodies of 33 New Zealanders left behind in Malaya after the conflict there were a special concern to him, and he tried to repatriate them.
As an older man he was still helping out, by mounting medals for other service people.
He died aged 77, at Broadview Rest Home, after a short illness. His funeral on Friday was followed by a gathering at the RSA.