Stephen Leigh Dean

Stephen Leigh Dean

Stephen Leigh Dean, age 80, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away unexpectedly Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at his home. He was born July 9, 1943, in Oneida, N.Y., the son of Ronald Walter Dean and Lizzie Limebeck Dean. Stephen married Merleen Della King on Jan. 28, 1961. They made their home in upstate New York before moving to Kansas. Stephen had over 30 years of service with the United States Army. He retired as a sergeant first class. Stephen completed the truck driving program at Fort Scott Community College and following his military service, he began working as a truck driver. He drove for several area trucking companies. He later worked as a driver for Dolly the Trolly where he enjoyed visiting with tourists and sharing the history of Fort Scott. Stephen loved the outdoors and loved to hunt and fish. While in New York, he served as Scout Master for his son’s Boy Scout troupe. Currently, he was a member of the Bone Creek Gun Club. Stephen was proud of his military service and was a member of the V.F.W. and the American Legion. He often helped provide military honors for deceased veterans. Following the death of his first wife, Merleen, on Sept. 4, 2020, he remarried Sharon Tucker Wolf on Oct. 16, 2021.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon, of the home; a son, James Dean of Fort Scott and a daughter, Julie VanBecelaere (Ted) of Osceola, Mo.; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. In addition to his first wife, Merleen, Stephen was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Shirley Arno and LaNita Siebel.

Pastor Larry Stevicks will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 31 at the Emmanuel Baptist Church. Burial with military honors will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Emmanuel Baptist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.