Obituary of Elbert Dean

Elbert M. Dean, Jr., 82, died Friday, December 9, 2011 at his home. He was owner and operator of Al's Upholstery for 40 years until retirement. Elbert was born September 25, 1929 in Merkel, TX, the son of Elbert M., Sr. and Lillie Mae (Garvin) Dean. He married Janna Hey on July 21, 1951 in Sterling. Elbert was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Sterling. Elbert served in the Naval Reserve. "Al" loved gardening, and the growth of his plants each summer mirrored the growth he evidenced in his daily walk with his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He also loved fishing for pike, bass and blue gill in Northern Wisconsin, but his greatest desire was to be a "fisher of men" for the Lord. God gave him a genuine heart for missions, whether serving fourteen years as treasurer for Baptist International Evangelistic Ministries, or traveling to Mexico to take a mattress he had made in his shop and build a bed for a poor family and to wire their kitchen for electricity. "Al" loved Faith Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School and serving as groundskeeper for forty years. Those of us who were close to him could imagine he heard his Savior say, "Well, done thou faithful servant" Survivors include his wife, Janna; three sons, Stephen (Kathy) Dean, of Janesville, WI, Michael (Brenda) Dean, of Brookfield, WI, and Jerry (Vicki) Dean, of Janesville, WI; one sister, Maureen Jaynes, of Tucumcari, NM; and twelve grandchildren. He was preceded in death by six sisters. Services will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at Faith Baptist Church with Pastor Bryan Bice, officiating. Burial will be at the Riverside Cemetery, Sterling. Visitation will be from 10-11 am, Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at the Church, prior to services. A memorial has been established to the Faith Baptist Church. Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com.