L. Dean Anderson, 85, of Martinton, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 1, 2023. Dean was born September 17, 1937 in Watseka, the fifth child of Delbert and Agnes Anderson, Donovan. Surviving is his wife of 65 years, the former Emilie Regnier, whom he married November 23, 1957.
Also surviving are three sons: Ronald (Carma) Anderson, Martinton, Donald (Julie) Anderson, Bourbonnais and Vincent (Cindy) Anderson, Martinton; two daughters: Julia (Alan) Nelson, Colorado, and Jennifer (John-Lee) Hall, Donovan; ten grandchildren: Kyle Anderson, Martinton, Tara (Danny) Bellino, Arizona, Jason Anderson, Springfield, IL, Amy (Michael) Kralik, Carpentersville, Stephen (Mara) Nelson, Colorado, Robbie Nelson, Colorado, Foster Hall, Donovan, Griffin Hall, Donovan, Michele (Alan) Eskelsen, Herscher, and Amy (Bryan) Roberts, Herscher; thirteen great-grandchildren: Dalton and Lily Anderson, Martinton, Mikaylee and Maxsim Bellino, Arizona, Trevor Nelson, Colorado, Kade, Kamden and Kayna Nelson, Abby Eskelsen, Kloe Longtin, Kenny, Jaxson and Mason Roberts, all of Herscher; siblings: Larry (Janice) Anderson, Donovan and Judy Judy, Bourbonnais; in-laws: Suzanne Anderson, California, Joseph (Helen) Swigart, Watseka, Mervyn Pilotte, Indiana, Everal (Doris) Regnier, Indiana and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters: Marian Waity, Carolyn Swigart and Darlene Pilotte; brother: Roger Anderson; in-laws: Nelson and Gloria Waity, William and Elsie Regnier and Joyce and Robert Boudreau.
Dean proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1958 as an aviation mechanic with the VA 15 Squadron aboard the USS Forrestal aircraft carrier. He sold John Deere equipment for many years and could repair almost anything mechanical. He farmed the same land for nearly 50 years and enjoyed antique tractors and going to farm auctions and tractor pulls. Dean had a wealth of knowledge about machinery and was consulted by many.
The visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 6, 2023 at Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. The Rev. Michael Powell will officiate a funeral service on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Beaverville, with burial to follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be provided by Watseka American Legion Post #23 and Iroquois County VFW Post #7450.
Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Restoration Fund.
Please share a memory of Mr. Anderson at knappfuneralhomes.com.
