Newell Burson Dean

Newell Burson Dean, of Schoolcraft, Michigan, passed away on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at the age of 84 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. He was born at the Burson family homestead north of Schoolcraft, Michigan, on February 28, 1936 to Leslie Newell Dean and Alice Mae (Burson, Dean) Schug. He was raised in Portage, MI and graduated from Portage Schools in 1954. He later received his degree in agriculture from Michigan State University in 1956. Newell married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Ellen Garlick on March 23, 1956 and they moved to the Carl Abel farm in Cedar Springs, Michigan in April 1956 to start their life together. He accepted an offer to manage the Allan Milham farm in Portage in 1957. Several years later he purchased the Maynard Jeffries farm in Schoolcraft in 1964, where he and Ruth raised their family. The farm operation eventually included 1,500 acres of crops, 3,000 chickens, 600 hogs, 2 ponies, various numbers of cattle and sheep, and his children’s 4-H animals. Newell was passionate about his family, farming and helping others through service to his community. He was a member of the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church and served in many leadership and administrative roles over 52 years of membership. He was also active in leadership of Farm Bureau, Prairie Ronde Township, Kalamazoo County, Lawton Board of Education, Lawton Athletic Boosters and the Van Buren County Youth Fair-Junior Livestock Producers. Newell is preceded in death by his brother-in-law: Ronald Zentz; sister-in-law: Diana Dean; granddaughter: Kendra Dean; and great grandson Paul Dean Rozeboom. He is survived by his wife: Ruth Ellen (Garlick) Dean; children: Julia (Paul) Rozeboom, David Dean, Bruce (Therese) Dean and Gary (Wendy) Dean; sister: Millicent Zentz; brother: James Dean and Duane (Sharon) Dean; 13 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; numerous brothers & sisters in-law; nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be directed to: Schoolcraft United Methodist Church Memorial Fund 342 N. Grand St. PO Box 336 Schoolcraft, MI 49087 Newell’s wife and children will receive visitors on October 17, 2020, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Social distancing and wearing of masks will be observed, and the number of visitors inside the building will be regulated to maintain distancing. Visitors are asked to enter the building by the north doors to the Fellowship Hall, and to exit by the south doors. Additional visiting among attendees may take place in the prayer gardens on the lot south of the church. Friends and family are invited to share remembrances and stories of time spent with Newell by submitting emails directed to: RememberingNewell@gmail.com. The family is being assisted by Avink Funeral Home 129 S. Grand Street, Schoolcraft MI 49087 (269) 679-5622.