Dean Wilson

Dean Eldwin Wilson passed away peacefully, after a lengthy illness, on Friday morning, December 17, 2004, in the home in which he was born.

Dean was born December 10, 1929, at his grandparents' home near Tecumseh. Dean was the son of the late Virgel L. and Neta I. (Milliken) Wilson. He attended Milliken Grade School and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1947 where he was active in Future Farmers of America. Dean and Elaine Barr were married December 10, 1949, in Topeka. They moved to the family farm in June, 1950. Dean was a Custom Harvester with his father and brother for 8 years until his passion for farming and devotion to caring for the land led him to begin his farming career in 1956. He was the fourth generation to farm the Century Farm where he and Elaine raised their family and continue to reside. Dean took an active role in farm support organizations including Shawnee County Farm Bureau (serving as President in 1970), the Extension Advisory Committee, the Shawnee County Extension board, and the Pauline Co-op board. He was recently recognized for ten years of service on the Farm Service Agency Committee. Dean retired from farming in 2002. From 1972 through 1979, Dean transported students on a school bus for Shawnee Heights USD 450. He was a member of Big Springs United Methodist Church and served at one time on their Board of Trustees. Dean and Elaine opened their home to an American Field Service student from Thailand in 1969-70.

Survivors, whom Dean dearly loved, include his wife Elaine; four children and their spouses, Garnet Marie Sherman of Saginaw, Michigan; Marcus Dean and wife Kathryn of Davenport, Iowa; Warren Lee of Topeka; and Tanya Sue Howbert and husband Shad of Tecumseh; grandchildren Aaron (Jennifer), Michael, and Adam Sherman; Brian (Felicia) and Greg (Starr) Wilson; Elise and Taylor Wilson; and Madison and MacKenzie Howbert; brother Merlin D. (Barbara) Wilson of Tecumseh and sister Mildred Ann (Walter) Nicks of Mayer, Arizona; nieces, nephews, sisters- and brothers-in-law.

The family will greet friends at Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence, Topeka, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 20. He will lie in state after 3:00 p.m. on Monday. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, December 21, at 10:00 a.m. at Parker-Price Chapel. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Dean requested that those planning an expression of sympathy consider, in lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Big Springs United Methodist Church, 96 HWY 40, Lecompton, Kansas 66050.