BELLVILLE — Donald “Don” Dean, 76, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at Belleville Healthcare and Rehab, Belleville.
He was born on Nov. 28, 1948, in Olney, Illinois, to Robert Henry and Eva A. (Mahan) Dean Sr. He graduated from Marion Harding High School in Marion, Ohio, in 1966. He received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Rolla in 1972.
He married Carol Sue Frye on Dec. 26, 1971, at the Red Brush Christian Church in Louisville, Illinois. She passed away on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. He and Sue moved to Kansas in 1972 and lived in Garnett and Chanute. Don moved to Concordia in 1998 and Sue later joined him in 2004 after their son, Justin, finished high school and community college. Don worked as a civil engineer for Kansas and later Campbell and Johnson when he came to Concordia.
He was a member of the Baptist Church, Concordia, and later joined the First Christian Church, Concordia, to attend church with his granddaughters. He was also a member of the Optimist Club, Boy Scouts of America, AWANAS and The Cloud County Community Suppers.
Don is survived by his daughter, Kristin Sue Halfhide of Concordia; s daughter in law, Angela Decoster of Chanute; grandchildren, Zachary Dean (Kayla), Mikaela Dean (Shane), Kaylee Halfhide and Aivree Halfhide; great-grandchildren, Weston Dean and Adrian Halfhide-Sterling; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his sons, Travis Judd Dean and Justin Dean; his parents; brother, Robert H. Dean Jr.; and sisters, Carolyn Perkins, Gloria Dean and Phyllis Gross.
It was Don’s wish to be cremated and a joint memorial service for Sue and Don will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia, with Pastor Al Paredes officiating. Friends may sign the register book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the funeral home. The burial of the cremains will be at a later date at the Neosho County Memorial Park Cemetery, Chanute.
The family suggests memorials to Carol Sue and Donald Dean Memorial Fund to assist with funeral and medical expenses in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, P.O. Box 606, Concordia, KS, 66901.
Leave online condolences at www.chaputbuoy.com.
