Ronald D. Dean, 77, of Cicero, IN, passed away in his home from complications related to his spinal cord injury, with his beloved wife, Chris, by his side. Ron was born in Goshen and resided in the New Paris, Goshen, Elkhart, and Bristol areas before building a new home in Cicero in 2017. He graduated from Nappanee H.S. and Indiana State University with a degree in accounting, and worked in the corporate world for many years before starting his own tax/consulting business in 1987. Despite acquiring a spinal cord injury in the 1965 Palm Sunday twin tornadoes, Ron lived an active life and remained involved in a number of organizations he strongly believed in. He was a member of the Dunlap Lions Club for 50 years, during which time he held multiple offices. He was also a member of the Faith Mission Board from 1996-2017 where he also held multiple offices. Ron also served as President of the Elkhart County Junior High 3.5 Honors Banquets Board for 10 years.
Ron loved his family members deeply. He leaves behind his wife of 14 years, Christine Dean, and their beloved dog (Chesney) whom Ron adored. He also leaves behind a son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Tami Dean and three grandchildren, Amelia, Lilah, and Landon Dean of Goshen, two step-children and two step-grandchildren, David (Melinda) Girard of Westfield, and Brooke (Nick) McKinney, of Noblesville, and grandsons and Collin and Carson. Also surviving Ron is a father in law, George Watt of Noblesville, as well as sisters-in-law Laura Watt of Lakewood, CO and Diane (Chip) Egan of Clemson, S.C., along with their extended family members, whom Ron loved dearly.
Ron is also survived by a brother, Tom Dean (Chieko Chambers) of Kensington, CA; two sisters, Sue (Don) Bonifacious of Bremen, and Peggy Germann of Nappanee; another son, Robin Dean, as well as many beloved extended Dean family members. Ron was preceded in death by an older brother, Larry Dean, of Ft. Wayne.
Ron was a vibrant, upbeat, positive, and fun man who had a strong faith in God. He was the epitome of the saying “when life hands you lemons, you make lemon aide.” He was an outgoing “people person,” and was very proud of his successful tax and consulting business. He was extremely passionate about helping individuals and corporations with their tax and financial matters, and treated each person coming through his office with personalized care and detail. Ron was also constantly involved in helping people he met who found themselves in health crisis situations and needed information and guidance from someone who had faced similar experiences.
Ron was a great man who showed us all how to handle adversity with grace and positivity. He was strongly admired by many, and will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved him.
A Celebration of Ron’s life will be planned in the near future at a location to be determined in N. Indiana.
Memorial contributions in Ron’s memory can be made to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, 1095 NW 14th TERRACE, MIAMI, FL 33136.
Leppert Mortuary – Smith Carmel Chapel, assisting with arrangements. To share a memory, please visit www.leppertmortuary.com.
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