Vernon Lee Dean “Dean”, 92 of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at his home.
Dean was born on January 6, 1932, in Morehead, Kentucky, the son of Bert and Minty (Creech) Dean. Immediately following graduation from High School, Dean enlisted in the United States Air Force on February 9, 1951. He served his country proudly during the Korean War and was honorably discharged on February 8, 1955. On April 21, 1957, Dean was united in marriage to Jerri Zike in Burlington, Iowa. They moved to Kentucky after they married and 9 years later, they returned to Iowa and made that their permanent home.
Dean worked for Emerson Electric, Garretson Equipment, and later for Nationwide Office Supplies. Dean had a sharp mind and enjoyed learning new things throughout his life. He was a great philosopher and loved to talk with people. He had an uncanny ability to make friends become family. He enjoyed golfing, gardening, and his fruit trees. Dean held a deep love for family which showed in all of his actions.
Dean was a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant and was an active member of the Mt. Pleasant Lions Club.
Dean is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jerri, his children, Monica (Brad) Wesely and Eric Dean all of Mt. Pleasant, his two grandsons, Nicolas Wesely of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Nathan (Deryn) Wesely of Cordova, Alaska, his brother, Lloyd Dean of Morehead, Kentucky, his sister, Rebecca Fern Brown of Niles, Ohio and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Marsha G. Dean, and a brother in infancy, Ralph Alan Dean.
A Requiem Holy Eucharist will be held at 1 pm on Friday, May 17, 2024, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant, with Rev. Wayne Kamm officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, next to his daughter, Marsha, with military honors. Visitation will be held after 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant where the family will be present from 4 to 6 that evening. In lieu of flowers, a memorial in his memory may be directed to the Marsha G. Dean Nursing Scholarship at Southeastern Community College, established by Dean and Jerri in honor of their daughter or St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.