On this the anniversary of your families tragic and sudden loss of your husband and father , we are thinking of you and lifting you in prayer. Dean was one of a kind and an amazing friend to John and I. He made such a positive impact on especially John’s life right before we married and became full time ministers. We are forever grateful! 
Love you ! John and Lisa prominski

As a student at Southeastern University, Dean was a wonderful part of our faith family! My wife and loved him as a younger brother. 
He was passionate about his faith in Jesus, and had a spiritual maturity that we admired!
Dean and I had many fun times together, his smile, humor, charm and grace were such a blessing to all who new him.
We will miss this humble man of God, but rejoice that he is forever with his Lord and Saviour, having heard “well done, thou good and faithful servant “ enter into the joys of heaven””
Linda and I send our prayers to you Brenda ,and to your children! May the Holy Spirit give you such comfort and peace in the days ahead! You are loved!!

We are sorry to hear about Dean, our prayers will be with you and your family. We have some fond memories with Dean back at Southeastern and the different times he came to preach in Colon. The people loved him and always looked forward to him coming again. In the days to come, hold on to the fact, that someday you will see him again. 


A beautiful weekend was created for Dean on this Holy Week!   Everything was beautiful from visitation to the service.   He was soo loved by many people.  He was instrumental in helping our family adopt from Paraguay.   He wrote the most beautiful letter to the Paraguay government.    He was always so positive and helpful during the hard times we had with the deaths of family members and helping me through challenging times.   I will never forget the fun times we had on the beach at our cottage boating on Lake Michigan   Lots of fun times and laughter!!!!  He will be hugely missed.   Much love and prayers to Brenda, Nathan, and Lauren!!!!!!!

Went to high school with Dean, always remember him being an amazing guy, so polite so nice to people, grew up around the corner from him as well, life's too short, my condolences to the family.

Brenda, Nate and Lauren,

We grieve with you at the loss of your husband and father. We are so glad to be blessed with knowing your entire family. Dean was an incredible person and man of God. He exuded the love of the father! We so enjoyed getting to know him through small group and wish we had gotten to know him and your family sooner. We will continue to love and pray for you guys. May God bless and comfort you guys.

Love Ken, Lynnette, Keri and Kaitlyn Koster

My prayers are with you Brenda, and your family during this time of loss! Dean was a dear friend, met at just age 15 and went to High school together at Taylor Center and did so many Brightmoor Youth activities.  Some fun memories were Teen talent, with Dean and friends singing the Andre Crouch song "Take me back". And then going with the group to Jesus 78 in Orlando.  The bus trip was so much fun. Dean was always happy, smiling, and a great encouragement.  A man of God. I am thankful for his friendship from that young age on. May the God of all comfort be with you And your family.  My prayers are with you all. 

Remembering pastor Dean for his gracious availability!  So many times when we pastored in Michigan he filled the pulpit during a vacation or unexpected need, and in the process enriched the lives of all he ministered to!
May you experience the availability of our “God of all comfort” being with you, his family & closest friends at this time!   
Sincerely,
Dennis & Nancy Myers

Our deepest condolences to our dear sister and friend Brenda and family for the great loss of a great man of God, husband, and father Dean. Be assured that we are praying for you all during this difficult time and season. You’re not alone on this journey, my family is with you, walking each step with you in prayers and support. May the God of all hope and peace strengthens you each and everyday. Shalom!


Saydee Bessman and family 

Our hearts are sad because of the loss of your husband and dad. He loved you with all his heart. We remember those years at Southeast Valley as a special time. Dean loved Jesus and served Him well. We remember his laugh, his enthusiasm, his love of life and people. 

We pray the Holy Spirit will comfort you and that good memories will help ease the pain of such a great loss.

With love,
Gord and Jean Van Houten

Dean with me and Karl after the ceremony.  We all look so young! Dean was not quite 22 here.

Dean with the best man and Karl at the rehearsal. Gotta love the ‘stache.

Dean with Karl and my dad at our house after the rehearsal.  Dean had the best smile and such an infectious laugh.

Dean at our wedding rehearsal, 10/81.  Ours was the first wedding Dean officiated.  He wasn’t ordained yet, so we were “officially” married the prior evening by a Justice of the Peace, but we don’t count that as our anniversary date.

I was saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Dean. 

He was one of the neighborhood little kids while I was growing up.   

I remember playing countless games of Rummy while eating popcorn and drinking Kool-Aid with Dean's sister Deb.  My condolences to Dean's wife and children, and of course to Deb too.    



Dean baptized both of our sons. His joy was contagious and he's the most optimistic person we know. We have some wonderful memories being at Southeast Valley with you. Our prayers continue for you, Brenda, Nathan and fiancé, Lauren and friend, and Brenda's mom.  Love, Mike and Judy Blum

Met Dean in the late 1980's and did an evangelical trip with him thru Florida at that same time. Though we rarely saw each other thru the years when we talked on the phone it was like we never missed a day apart. One of the kindest souls I have ever known. My deepest sympathies and condolences to the family. God bless you all.

Our sincere sympathy and condolences to Brenda and Families. We were very shocked and saddened when we heard this  news. We are neighbors of Brenda on Southwood Ave. Our prayers go out to all of you in this time of sorrow and sadness. May the Lord comfort you.

Dan and Kathy Alberta

We were so sorry to learn of Dean's passing. We remember him as a young man at Brightmoor Tabneracle. We have had the pleasure of seeing him  at gatherings for years. One special one was a "Sing a long "at  Grady Jensen's church about a year ago. Blessings and comfort to the family.
                                                  Delores and Jerry Brewster

Dear Brenda, Nathan, and Lauren, 

I am deeply saddened by this news. Your husband and father was a great man of God for whom I had great respect. Please know that you all will be in my daily prayers. May our God grant you peace and comfort that passes understanding.

Much Love, 

Mary Wesley

Dean was a missionary colleague and loved India with a passion. It was my  joy to be Dean's friend during our time at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL and witness his ministry in several nations. He loved Brenda, Nathan, and Lauren with all his heart and was extremely proud of his family. Dean had planned to be back in India soon after Easter. He loved Indian pastors, and they loved him. We will miss him greatly, but rejoice in knowing where he is. With much love and prayers, David and Beth Grant

October 2018- Uncle Dean spent time with his India family making a meal.

October 2018- Dean brought in a frozen turkey to India to cook a thanksgiving dinner with the Powar’s.

Dean Elliott blessed our home on numerous occasions when he would travel abroad to share the love of our Lord Jesus Christ with people in other lands. From the days of his earliest trips abroad Dean called my wife Mom and he called me Dad. Perhaps he did that because he and our oldest son were almost the same age.  Dean was a man who loved God deeply and showed his love freely to other people. 

Dean’s home was in many ways a model Christian home.  Righteousness and love were two important marks of the home of Dean and Brenda Elliott. Dean and Brenda loved God, each other, their two intelligent and talented children and other people. 

Our prayers go up for this loving family. 

I will never forget Dean's bright and cheerful smile, as well as the amazing spirit of the Lord that rested on Dean all his life.  Every conversation with Dean reflected his zeal for his ministry and the many, many accounts of his recent travels.  His sense of humor and big personality always left me thankful for our relationship. Dean promised to pray for me daily for the year long cancer struggle that I recently completed. What a precious gift he was to me during that season of life.

The loss of Dean is hard to fathom.  A world without him is diminished in so many ways.  Dean was my close, cherished friend since sixth grade. We were crazy teens and choir mates at Brightmoor, and even though we went our separate ways for college, we never lost touch.  When Dean was called to the ministry, Karl and I were honored to have him perform our wedding ceremony, and we were there to watch him profess his love and commitment to Brenda at theirs. We followed the milestones of each other’s lives through cards, letters, e-mail, chat, and visits over the years. Dean has been an important thread in my life for over 50 years, he was family, and he is mightily missed.

Brenda, there are no words that can touch this loss.  But we know that we’ll see Dean again.  Jesus said so.  Until then, sister, please know that we love you and are holding you and the family up to our Father for comfort and blessings now and in the days to come.

-Cyndi and Karl Born-

Brenda, Nathan and Lauren. So sorry to hear of your loss. No one can replace Dean/Dad. He lived larger than life and overcame so many challenges with perseverance and Joy. He inspired me as I traveled overseas and tried to fulfill Gods call yet dealing with Type 1 diabetes like Dean. I feel I’ve lost my T1D partner in ministry. He lived well and touched so many. Hugs and prayers to you! 
Missy Lettinga

We at Clare Assembly truly loved Dean. He shared in dramatic presentations during our Walk Through Bethlehem seasons and always brought the breath of the Holy Spirit with him.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family and with all those who know and love him. Dean made this world a better place. His impact is truly eternal. We will forever be grateful.  With love, Pastor Scott and Lisa Harper

Our hearts  hurt for you all and we love you very much.  I have rarely met a man like Dean who was unwavering in his faith, and impacted so many lives for Jesus. 

We miss him dearly but are so thankful for Heaven and that many of us will see him again !!!

Much love to you all,

Norm and Diana Buffum


I was so sad to hear about Dean’s passing. But oh what joy we will have when we see our Family and Friends again on the other side. I met Dean at Brightmoor Tabernacle on Fenkell in Detroit. After he finished singing I just had to let him know that he looked and sounded so much like Donny Osmond. Hi Donny became a tag whenever I saw him. We continued to keep in touch via email and on Facebook. My prayers are with the Family now and Always. ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

My sincere condolance to Brenda and the family, as well as the Church family at GR First. I remember Dean when he was younger, with all dark hair, He will be missed by all who knew him. I thank God he was a soldier in the army of the Lord.  His reward awaits that great day we will all experience.

Dean 
Thank you for your friendship and support. 
Praying for peace for each family member. 
Marshall 

We will remember Dean as a loving joyful man who shared Jesus' love wherever he went. Our sympathy to the family.

Randy and Rose Brondyke

Dean and I shared  family ties years ago.  He was a terrific uncle and brother in law.  He is now in our hearts forever.  Our deepest condolences from Kathy/Jerry, Alexandria/Evan and Brooke/Paul.

Dean was a childhood friend and close brother in the Lord. He helped our family transition from the Detroit area to West Michigan some 23 years ago. We shared a birthday which may seem trivial but always meant something special to me. He will be dearly missed. 

Don and Sharon Rawlings 

With deepest condolences. Fazzini family. 

Dean Elliott was like our Pastor at River of Life Assembly of God in Muskegon MI. We did not have a Pastor, Dean did more than just come and preach as a fill in speaker, he developed relationships with us and was there for us spiritually, through preaching and prayer, and also with our life issues. We could call him at anytime, he was always there to listen, pray, support and give wisdom. He was a great blessing for us for over a year while we were in need of a Pastor.

I met Pastor Dean when my wife and I became Pastors at Iglesia Mision De Fe in Grandville, MI many years ago.  He came to preach at our Missions  Convention and some other occasions.  His love and commitment to the cause of Christ was contagious.  We were bless and encouraged by his ministry.   May the Lord confort and bless his dear wife and children whom he always spoke with pride and joy.

With Kinds Regards,
Pastor Byron and Debra Salguero
Misio de Fe Church - Grandville, MI


Dean took me under his wing when I was just starting out in raising support and lacked faith for it. Dean’s infectious joy and belief in people helped me loosen up and enjoy the process of building a support base. He once invited me along on a spontaneous 12-hour road trip, and I surprised myself by saying “yes!” Dean truly had an ability to savor the journey, and I am better for having known him. 

OBITUARY

Dean J. Elliott

November 13, 1959 – April 2, 2023

Cook Funeral and Cremation Services

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