Leo
Leo Blair
d. July 11, 2015
FOWLER, Ill. -- Leo "Dean" Van Blair, 78, of rural Fowler, passed away Saturday (July 11, 2015) at his home.
Dean was born March 18, 1937, in Quincy, to the late Cornelius and Gladys (Poling) Van Blair. He married Marilyn F. Dedert on Sept. 28, 1957, at St. Paul United Church of Christ at Fowler. Marilyn survives.
Dean attended Prairie and Mendon elementary schools and attended Unity High School at Mendon.
He was employed at Gardner Denver in Quincy until 1958, where he developed his welding skills. He worked for Charles Richmiller Construction, building houses and running a bulldozer. He later worked for Gunn Construction until his retirement in 2000, where he was a heavy equipment operator. Dean loved and was proud of is work.
Dean enjoyed woodworking, camping, hunting, fishing and his farm. His dogs were a big part of his life.
He was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ at Fowler, the NRA and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
In addition to his wife, Marilyn, Dean is survived by three children, Randy (Peggy) Van Blair of Fowler, Jill (Kent) Deege of Quincy and Steve (Michel) Van Blair of Fowler; five grandchildren, Sara (Thomas) Carey of Macomb, Neil Deege of Quincy, Justin (Michelle) Deege of Quincy, Tyler (Ashley Kelley) Van Blair of Quincy and Cody (Leanne) Kaylor of Canton, Mo.; four great-grandchildren, Zachary Van Blair, Faythe Kelley, MaKynzee Van Blair, and Mason Deege; one sister, Marjorie Moore of Philadelphia, Mo.; one brother, Ronnie (Vicky) Van Blair of Biggsville; sister-in-laws and brother in-laws, Sandra (Bill) Kretzer of Fowler, Cheryl and Larry Burwinkel of Fowler, Karen Likes of Camp Point; and his beloved dog, Sugar.
He was preceded in death by his in-laws, Lloyd and Irene Dedert; one sister, Carlene "Peg" Douglas; a brother-in-law, Jack Douglas, brother and sister-law, Russ and Marylyn Van Blair, brother-in-law, Rollie Moore, and a brother-in-law, Ronald Likes.
SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 16, memorial service will be at the St. Paul United Church of Christ at Fowler, with the Rev. Keela Neumann officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded.
VISITATION: Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
MEMORIALS: St. Paul United Church of Christ or the Adams County Humane Society.
ARRANGEMENTS: Hunter Funeral Home at Mendon.
WEBSITE: www.hunterfh.com.
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