CECIL E. DEAN

CAPE GIRARDEAU - A memorial service will be held today for Cecil E. Dean of Cape Girardeau, who died Thursday, April 4, 1991, at the Lutheran Home. He was 79.

He was born Aug. 16, 1911, in Pike County, Mo., the son of Vess Bean and Effie Kane Dean.

His first wife was Byrcha Allen, whom he married on June 3, 1934. They had two children. He later married Ruth Stephens, who preceded him in death in 1973.

He is survived by one son, Patrick Dean of Evel, Ky.; one daughter, Carol Draper of Kearney, Neb.; one sister, Violet Thompson of Cleveland, Ohio; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In addition to his second wife, he was preceded by one sister and two brothers.

He was a veteran of World War II, where he served as a journalist in the army and air force.

He was a member of the Centenary Methodist Church since the early 1930s, American Legion Post 63 of Cape Girardeau, Golden Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps and the Rotary Club. He was a charter member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the committee that was responsible for building Arena Park.

He worked for Missouri Utilities until 1936. After that, he owned Dean and Co. store in Cape Girardeau for about 30 years. He was affiliated with Rust and Martin until his retirement.

He attended the College of Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

The memorial service today will be held at the Centenary Methodist Church at 2:30 p.m., with the Rev. Neil Stein officiating. McCombs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.