Donald “Don” Dean, age 76, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at Belleville Healthcare and Rehab, Belleville, KS. He was born on November 28, 1948 in Olney, IL to Robert Henry & 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 December 26, 1971 at the Red Brush Christian Church in Louisville, IL. She passed away on Monday, February 3, 2025. He and Sue moved to Kansas in 1972 and lived in Garnett, KS and Chanute, KS. 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 the State of Kansas and later Campbell & 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, KS; daughter in law, Angela Decoster, Chanute, KS; grandchildren, Zachary Dean (Kayla), Mikaela Dean (Shane), Kaylee Halfhide and Aivree Halfhide; great grandchildren, Weston Dean and Adrian Halfhide-Sterling; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his sons, Travis Judd Dean & Justin Dean; his parents; brother, Robert H. Dean, Jr., sisters, Carolyn Perkins, Gloria Dean & Phyllis Gross.
It was Don’s wishes to be cremated and a joint memorial service for Sue and Don will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, February 21, 2025 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia with Pastor Al Paredes officiating. Friends may sign the register book from 9 am to 5 pm on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at the funeral home. The burial of the cremated remains will be at a later time at the Neosho County Memorial Park Cemetery, Chanute, KS.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Carol Sue & Donald Dean Memorial Fund to assist with funeral and medical expenses in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, PO Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901. For online condolences or memorial contributions please visit, www.chaputbuoy.com.
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Carol Sue Dean, age 75, passed away on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Belleville Healthcare and Rehab, Belleville, KS. She was born on January 16, 1950, in Flora, IL, to Gerald “Jud” and Betty L. (Dawkins) Frye.
She graduated from Louisville High School in Louisville, IL, in 1968. She received her undergraduate degree from Eastern Illinois University in mathematics and a minor in library science. She later received her master’s degree from Pittsburg State University.
She married Donald N. Dean on December 26, 1971, at the Red Brush Christian Church in Louisville, IL. He preceded her in death on January 30, 2025. She and Don lived in Garnett, KS and Chanute, KS, prior to them moving to Concordia, KS, in 2004. She worked as a librarian for USD 333 until her retirement.
She was a member of the AAUW in Garnett and Chanute, KS. Her passion was going to her children’s and grandchildren’s ball games and events.
Sue is survived by her daughter, Kristin Sue Halfhide of Concordia, KS; siblings, Jim Frye (Joyce), Apopka, FL, Scott Frye (Kim) Ocala, FL, Cathy Clark (Bud), The Villages, FL, and Nancy Kessler (Alan), IL; daughter-in-law, Angela Decoster, Chanute, KS; grandchildren, Zachary Dean (Kayla), Mikaela Dean (Shane), Kaylee Halfhide and Aivree Halfhide; great-grandchildren, Weston Dean and Adrian Halfhide-Sterling; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, sons, Travis Judd Dean & Justin Dean and her parents.
It was Sue’s wishes to be cremated and a joint memorial service for Sue and Don will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 21, 2025, 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, February 20, 2025, at the funeral home. The burial of the cremated remains will be at a later time at the Neosho County Memorial Park Cemetery, Chanute, KS.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Carol Sue & Donald Dean Memorial Fund to assist with funeral and medical expenses in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, PO Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901. For online condolences or memorial contributions please visit, www.chaputbuoy.com.