|
Visitation:
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday February 4, 2019 at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln,
Service:
10:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home
Funeral home:
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Lincoln
Obituary
Dean B. Rademaker, 93, of
Springfield, died Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at St.
Johns Hospital in Springfield. He was born September
27, 1925, near Emden, the youngest child of Joe and
Allie Bruns Rademaker. On May 30, 1954, he married
Priscilla Ann Shirley at the Christian Church in
Hartsburg. She died November 27, 2018.
After graduating from the three-year high school in
Emden, Dean finished his senior year at Hartsburg.
Upon graduation, Dean joined the U. S. Coast Guard
during WWII and was a member of the U. S. Coast
Guard Combat Veterans.
After his military service, Dean attended Bradley
University, earning his B.S. Degree, and later his
M.A. Degree. He began his teaching career at
Elkhart, and then moved into the Decatur school
system. In 1963, he was hired as the Virginia School
District Superintendent, and retired from the
Illiopolis school system in 1984.
After retirement, Dean sold AFLAC Insurance to help
finance his new endeavor, marathon running, where he
was known as The Flying Turtle. Dean accomplished
the feat of running marathons in all fifty states
and the District of Columbia. From that experience,
he founded a new group and authored many newsletters
of the 50anddcmarathongroup. He also had run
marathons inside the Arctic Circle, Antarctic
Circle, and even twice in Cuba.
He and Priscilla never missed a grandchild’s school
or sporting event and had season tickets to Bradley
Basketball for many years, enjoyed watching the
games with their many friends. They were also active
church members, the last thirty-four years with St.
John’s Lutheran Church in Springfield.
|
Besides his wife, Dean was preceded
in death by his parents, sisters Alta Klockenga,
Grace Bergman and Laverne Downs, and brother, John
J. Rademaker. He is survived by his children, Ronda
(Dave) Handy of Ashland, Rod (Jill) Rademaker of
Oakford, granddaughters Monica (Dusty) Handy Cookson
of Dodge City KS, and Rhiannon Rademaker of Oakford,
grandsons Duran (Mackenzie) Rademaker, Dusty
(Stacey) Rademaker, both of Petersburg, Brad (Kyra
Gwaltney) Handy of Ashland and Caleb (Jessica Rueter)
Handy of Winchester. He also is survived by seven
great grandchildren, Chloe, Clara, Conleigh and
Callie Cookson of Dodge City KS and Bree Dougherty,
Chyler Rademaker and Coyt Rademaker of Petersburg.
He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Jenny Lou
Boughan and his brother-in-law, Allen Dean (Luella)
Shirley both of Lincoln, and many nieces and
nephews.
Services for Dean will be 10:30 a.m. Monday February
4, 2019 at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in
Lincoln, with Rev. Greg Busboom officiating.
Visitation will be one hour prior to service
(9:30-10:30). Burial at Hartsburg Union Cemetery
will follow the service.
Memorials may be made in Dean’s name to St. Peter
Lutheran Church.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the family of Dean B.
Rademaker
|
