Dean Postlewaite

Elbert “Dean” Postlewaite, son of the late Rev. John Jefferson “J.J.” and Lucy Jane (Crewse) Postlewaite, was born February 6, 1935 in Plato, Missouri. On August, 13, 2018, he went home to join his heavenly father and numerous family members and friends.

Dean was raised in the Number One Community and graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1954. He was saved and baptized at an early age and was a member of the First Christian Church, at the time of his death. He was the 13th child (final boy and identical twin) in a family of 15 children where there was lots of love, church and bible study, and hard work on the family farm. Soon after high school, Dean enlisted in the United States Navy, serving his country as a part of the Korean Defense Force in the capacity of boiler tender, 1st class, on the USS Philippine Sea CVS from 1954-1958.

Dean married Frankie Jean Jarrett on February 5, 1955 in Los Angeles, California. Three children were born to this union. He had different jobs including working for Tri-County Gas Company, Sanders and McCarty Pump and Plumbing, and eventually his own heating/air conditioning, sheet metal business. In the fall of 1977, Dean became employed with the Mountain Grove RIII Schools and continued to teach his trade to many students at the vocational school. He retired from the school district in 1997 to take up his true passion – “family, fishing and hunting”.

An incredible husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, great-great-grandpa, and “Postlewaite”, (as some like to call him), Dean was known for the love of his faith, family, warm friendly smile, making up songs while fishing in the boat, and ridiculously funny jokes. He was competitive in nature in many aspects, and loved playing fast pitch softball, some say he never met a stranger. Dean took great pride in his family and was supportive of his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids in whatever sport or activity in which they were involved. He has left a legacy among many that loved him, one not to be forgotten.

Besides his parents, Dean was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Postlewaite in 2014, his daughter, Cheryl (Postlewaite) Todd, brothers, Wayne, Wade, Harold, James, Carl, Curtis, Clyde, Johnnie, Paul, and Gene, and sisters Bernice Peterson, Freda Edwards, and baby Sylvia Marie.

He is survived by his children, Jeannie Looper and husband, Don, Deanice Jones and husband, Danny, along with Tom Todd and wife, Tracey, eleven grandchildren, Ryan Allen and wife, Tanna, Stacey Anderson and husband, Donny, Lana Driskill and husband, Josh, Karen Reese and husband, Doug, CJ Jones and wife, Samantha, Beth Vangilder and husband, Schuyler, Jared Emery and wife, Ashley, Nathan Looper and wife, Jennifer, Jeremy Looper and wife, Michelle, Alison Flippin and husband, Ryan, and Kyle Todd, twenty-four great- grandchildren, Ryanna and husband, Stephen, Cory and wife, Keelie, Colton, Carson, Aden, Andi, Hadley, Huck, Beckett, Quinton, Katherine, Aniala, Willow, Kort, Alex and wife, Kaleigh, Robert, Annie, Levi, Jackson, Madison, Cheylea, Christian, Sean, and arriving in September, Jameson, one great-great-grandchild, Sophia, one sister, Marge McCarty, one sister-in-law, Patricia Sheffer, many nieces, nephews, friends, and others that considered themselves to be one of his, who will miss him very much.

The Postlewaite family would like to thank the staff at Country Living/Assisted Living, Hospice Compassus, (Diane Lada), American Home Patient and Dr. Lori MacPherson and staff who provided compassionate care for Dean.

Donations may be made in Dean’s remembrance to the Mountain Grove Panther Sports Booster Club.