DEAN - Benjamin Henry - Putnam

Benjamin Henry "Ben" Dean, 69, Greencastle, died Monday Dec 25, 1995 at the Putnam County Hospital in Greencastle. He was the father of a Martinsville woman. Born Oct 3, 1926 in Greencastle, he was the son of Howard C. and Grace O'Hair Dean. He was a graduate of the class of 1946, Greencastle High School.  He also attended Ivy Tech at Terre Haute.

Mr. Dean was a veteran of World War II, serving in Guarm and China with the First and Third Marine Divisions. He was married to Elizabeth Davis on March 14, 1954. She survives.  Mr. Dean was employed by Horace Link Furtniture Store in Greencastle, manger of Singer Sewing Machine stores in Crawfordsville, Brazil and Greencastle and the Greencastle Fire Department. He was director of maintenance at Asbury Towers Retirement Home in Greencastle.  

He was a member of Gobin United Methodist Church in Greencastle, where he served on several committees and as superintendent of buildings and grounds. He was president of Bethel Sunday School class and president of United Methodist Men both at Gobin Church. He was president of the Terre Haute District of the United Methodist Church for 20 years and served on the Council of Ministries for both the Terre Haute District and the conference.

Mr. Dean also coached Little League, was president of the Greencastle HS Band Boosters and served on Boy Scout committees. He also had been president of the Greencastle Lions Clubh and Lions District officer. He was affiliated with Temple Masonic Lodge #47 in Greencastle.  

Survivors in addition to his wife include three children, Carolyn Russ of Greenwood, Cathy Lavely of Martinsville and Stephen Dean of Greenwood; six grandchildren.  Staci, Graci and Michael Russ; Megan Lavely and Matthew and Mackenzie Dean; one sister, Peg Smaltz, Greenwood; and one brother, Howard Dean, Greencastle. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Virginia Brann and a daughter, Barbara Susan Dean.

Service will be Thursday morning at 11 o'clock at Gobin Church with Dr. Robert Ochsenrider and Rev. John McFarland officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery with military honors.  

Visitation will be this evening from 6 until 8 at Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home in Greencastle and on Thursday form 10 o'clock until service time at Gobin Church.

Memorials may be made to the church or to the Greencastle Lions Club.