Gerald W. Dean, a longtime Armada resident and 1955 graduate of Armada High School, passed away on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at his home in Georgetown, Ill., at the age of 85. He was born on October 14, 1937, in Armada, the son of Earl and Anna {Vandaele} Dean. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Vermeesch on June 24, 1961. Betty passed away in 2002.
Gerald leaves behind to mourn him his son, Gerald (Kathryn) Dean and their children, Amanda (Nicholas) Freeman, Paul (Shireen) Dean, Dwight Dean, & Thomas (Casey) Dean; his son, Father Kenneth Dean; his daughter, Susan (Frank) Messing and their children, Jacinta Messing, Rose Messing, Martina (Stephen) Crookston, Joseph Messing, & Elizabeth Messing; & his son, Doug (Lindsey) Dean and their children, Anna Dean, Elena Dean, Celine Dean, Luke Dean, Xavier Dean, Isabella Dean, Genevieve Dean, Ignatius Dean, Joseph Dean, Zachary Dean, & Toby Dean; his four great grandchildren, William Freeman, Emma Freeman, Olivia Crookston, & Matthew Crookston; his twin brother, Harold (Joyce) Dean; and his sister-in-law, Dorothy Dean. He was preceded in death by his wonderful wife Betty; his sister, Dorothy & her husband, Richard Heldt; and his brother, Earl Dean.
Gerald was a kind, gentle man, devoted to his Catholic faith and to his family. He cherished the time he spent with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was also a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. He worked for many years as a heavy equipment operator in his uncle’s company, and then as a custodian in the Armada Area Schools. He was the maintenance man and the “fix-it” guy. He loved traveling, particularly to the American West. At home he enjoyed working outside, taking care of animals and simple chores like mowing the grass.
After a Mass of Christian Burial offered by his son, Fr. Kenneth Dean, Gerald was laid to rest on Nov. 3 in La Salette Cemetary, Olivet, Ill.
