Delmar E. Dean, 85, of Lebanon, passed away August 16, 2019 surrounded by his daughter and son at Witham Memorial Hospital in Lebanon.
Delmar was born August 19, 1933 at home in Lebanon, the only child of the late Ray and Velma (Noland) Dean. After a blind date arranged by Leroy Bray & Frances (Hiland) McElwee he was married to Louella (Houser) Dean on August 31, 1957. She passed away on January 11th of this year.
Delmar attended Lebanon High School and proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953-1957, stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. This is where he fell in love with Alaska and he and his wife made many trips with Louella’s sister and her husband. His love for photography is obvious when you view all the wonderful photos he took during these trips.
Delmar was employed by Stewart Warner and National Seal before becoming a machinist with Commercial Filters and retiring in 1994 after 30 years of dedicated service. During his retirement he loved to share he was Tim Gascho’s “right hand man” for Tim’s car business.
Delmar’s early passion for Lebanon Tigers basketball began when he played for the team during his high school career. Upon return from service Delmar purchased season tickets for the Tigers and became the longest season ticket holder celebrating 62 consecutive years of Tigers basketball. He was proud to tell the story that he watched 4 generations of Mount’s play basketball. Go Tigers!
After returning from service Delmar became an active member of our community. He coached Lebanon Little League baseball, Boys Club basketball and Cub Scouts. He and his wife actively supported Boone County 4-H for many years. He was an active member of the Boone County Historical Society – there wasn’t a building in town he couldn’t tell you what it had been over the years. He served as Past Master of Siloam Lodge #609 in Mechanicsburg.
He enjoyed many activities including attending any event his children/grandchildren were involved in. He also enjoyed go-kart racing, pitching horse shoes, golf, fishing, hunting, bowling (Member of Lebanon Bowlers Hall of Fame), CB enthusiast, college basketball (especially Purdue – Boiler Up!) and a passion for auto racing (often calling his son to make sure he knew a race was about to start). He attended numerous open wheel and Nascar races. One of his favorite roles was that of Chief Mechanic for 42 years for his son, David’s, tractor pulling events.
Survivors include his daughter, Barbara (Tony) Carrell, and son, David (Jill) Dean, both of Lebanon; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Katlyn) Carrell of Laplace, LA, Ellen (Ryan) Dernay of Mishawaka, Julie Carrell of Shelbyville, Matthew (Bailey) Dean of Lebanon and Hannah Crosby of Brownsburg; and great-grandson Gatten (squirt) Dean. Delmar was preceded in death by his grandson, Adam Dean.
Family and friends will gather, Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 for visitation from 4-8 p.m. with Masonic Rites at 7:30 p.m. and the funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 22nd at 10:30 a.m. in the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon. Delmar will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon. You are invited to visit the website www.strawmyerdrury.com where you may sign his online register and leave a personal message for the family.
Memorial contributions in his memory made be made to Boone County 4-H or Lebanon Sports Boosters (basketball).
