Dean Harvey Masters, 84, Moran, died Tuesday, December 9, 2008, in Topeka.

He was born Aug. 2, 1924, in Herington. He grew to manhood on the family farm southwest of Burlingame.

He married Betty Barber, Eskridge, on Oct. 15, 1945, at Emporia. She survives. They had just celebrated their 63rd anniversary. This union was blessed with eight children.

He began serving in the U.S. Air Force in 1947 and retired in 1960, due to a medical discharge. While in the service he was a building craft supervisor, a job that included his building a radar site in Korea. He was also an instructor, teaching eleven trades. His service work took him to Lackland AFB, Texas; Fort Frances E. Warren in Cheyenne, Wyo.; Scottfield, Ill.; Barksdale AFB, Shreveport, La.; Pease AFB, Portsmouth, N.H.; Brize-Norton AFB, England; Sillisane, North Africa; Madrid, Spain; and Korea.

After retiring from the service, they lived in Eskridge, Williamsburg, Savonburg, Hepler, Stark, and Webb City, Mo., before moving to Moran in June 1996.

He enjoyed working in his garden, hunting and fishing, and playing games with family, but his greatest joy was taking his grandchildren hunting, and fishing.

He was a member of the VFW at Chanute, the American Legion at Walnut, D.A.V., and the North American Fishing Club.

Other survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas and Gina Masters, Mayetta, Dean Jr. and Mary Masters, Chanute, and Tony and Alicia Masters, Chanute; five daughters and four sons-in-law, Linda Herrick, Eskridge, Kathy and Jim Cox, Spring, Texas, Nancy and John Starliper, Savonburg, Debbie and Larry George, Savonburg, and Diane and Gayle Meeds, Rogers, Ark.; 22 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild, and a great-great-grandchild on the way.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Troy Masters; a son-in-law, Lester Herrick; and two brothers, John and Dale Masters.

Funeral will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Moran. Burial will follow in the Moran Cemetery.

The family will greet friends from 6 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the American Diabetes Association in care of the funeral home.