Betty Jean Dean
Betty Jean Dean, 92, Wabash, passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on March 1, 2020, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.
She was born Nov. 28, 1927, in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, the daughter of Homer and Evelyn Heiser. She was one of 10 children. She graduated from Tallmadge High School, Tallmadge, OH, in 1945, where she captained the cheerleading squad. It was there where she met the love of her life, Donald Dean. Together they have celebrated over 71 years of marriage with four children, 11 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Survivors include a loving husband: Don; four children: Linda (Thomas) Hale, Columbus; Patricia (Scott) Howard, Jenison, Mich.; Jay Dean, Mishawaka; and Jeffrey (Roberta) Dean, Wabash; grandchildren: Brian (Jen) Hale, Indianapolis; Stacey Hale, Columbus; Melissa (Brandon) Crawford, Rogersville, Tenn.; Kyle (Kate) Dean, Elkhart; Tyler (Dani) Dean, Peyton, Colo.; Matthew Howard, Madison, Wisc.; Mitchell Howard, Toledo, OH; Grant Howard, Holland, Mich.; Jeremy Dean, Dayton, OH; and Hailey Dean, Wabash; great-grandchildren: Jacob Crawford, Collin Crawford, Grady Dean, Daily Dean, Kendall Dean, and Landon Dean; three siblings: Helen (James) Colbert and Russell (Linda) Heiser, both of Mogadore, OH; and John (Cindy) Heiser, Tallmadge.
She was preceded in death by her siblings: Alfred Heiser, Marcella Shenberger, Homer Heiser, Isabelle Ripley, Ruth Donohoe, Barbara Donovan; and granddaughter: Lori Hale.
She enjoyed traveling with Don, tending to her flower garden, and playing board games such as bridge, rummy, and other card games. The thing she enjoyed most was cooking and hosting family outings with her family. A very nurturing person with a sharp sense of humor, she was most proud of her children and grandchildren. She also loved animals especially cats. She was a 25 year member of Bachelor Creek Church of Christ in Wabash and a faithful follower.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash, with Ryan Keim officiating. Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. There will be a visitation from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 10, at Donovan Bagnoli Funeral Home, 339 SW Ave., Tallmadge, OH. Graveside services will be at noon at the Tallmadge Cemetery, with Betty’s brother Russell Heiser officiating.
Preferred memorials are Bachelor Creek Church of Christ or the Animal Shelter of Wabash County.