Elwood C. Dean, Beebe volunteer

Elwood C. Dean, 92, of Lincoln, passed away in his sleep Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, at the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford. He was born May 28, 1922, in Wilmington, son of the late Elwood C. and Ruth (Raylman) Dean.

Elwood graduated from Newark High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy June 15, 1941. When World War II was declared, he served aboard the USS Columbia in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged Oct. 8, 1945, with the rank of Machinist's Mate First Class.

In 1946 Elwood married the love of his life, Grace Davis in Seaford. He then became one of the founding members of the Virgil T. Wilson VFW Post 4961 in Seaford. Elwood embarked on a career with O.A. Newton in Bridgeville, and Manlove Automotive in Seaford and Lewes. He retired in 1990 from Townsend Inc. located in Millsboro. In recent years, he volunteered at Beebe Heathcare and enjoyed taking long walks each day and conversations with those he met along the way.

In addition to his parents, Elwood was preceded in death by his wife, Grace; four sisters, Alma, Evelyn, Edna and Alice; and one brother, Merritt.

Elwood is survived by his son, Bruce E. Dean and wife Yeneesei of Lewes; and his daughter, Barbara F. Dean and fiancé Donald Smith of Lincoln.

A Final Salute Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 Aa.m. Interment at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Delaware Veterans Home, 100 Delaware Veterans Blvd., Milford, DE 19963, where the care he received was outstanding.

Please visit Elwood's Life Memorial webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.