Earl Dean O'Connell

Earl Dean O'Connell

Earl “Dean” O’Connell, 80, of Tripoli, died Monday, April 17, 2017, at Tripoli Nursing & Rehab in Tripoli.

Funeral Services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Frederika on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. with Lay Speaker Betty Schmudlach officiating. Interment will be held at Mentor Cemetery, rural Frederika at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services on Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made in his name to Tripoli Nursing & Rehab or the United Methodist Church in Frederika.

Earl Dean, son of Earl and Effie (O’Rourke) O’Connell was born December 7, 1936, at home in rural Frederika. He was baptized at the United Methodist Church in Frederika on March 3, 1946 and received his education at the Frederika Community School. Dean lived in Frederika prior to moving to Waterloo in 1977. He became a member at the Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Waterloo and was confirmed there on January 13, 1984. Dean worked for Goodwill Industries for thirteen years before retiring in April of 1993. He was very active on the fundraising committee for Adult Incorporated (now NorthStar). Dean ran in the Special Olympics, enjoyed traveling with his family, dances, bowling, horseback riding, movies, checkers, but most especially enjoyed watching and rooting for the Chicago Cubs. On January 17, 2006, he moved to Tripoli Nursing & Rehab. Dean thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent with the staff at Tripoli Nursing & Rehab and through his life always left a positive effect with the people he met.

Dean is survived by his four sisters, Wilma (Leland) Timmerman of Tripoli, Helen (Marv) Schumacher of Denver, Catherine (Pat) Burns of Ames, and Sharon (Gary) Phillips of Midland, Michigan; thirteen nieces and nephews, David (Denise) Timmerman of Waverly, Larry Timmerman of Woodbury, Minnesota, Lisa Timmerman of Cedar Falls, Sara (Joel) Tubbs of Maquoketa, Jeff (Karen) Schumacher of Denver, Ann (Michael) Adams of Chandler, Arizona, John (Theresa) Schumacher of West Des Moines, Susan (Jeff) Burns Rasmussen of Boulder, Colorado, Brad Burns of Ankeny, Kristine (Bryan) Goodwin of Denver, Colorado, Mary (Andrew) Matuszeski of Great Falls, Virginia, Jean (Todd) Hall of Boulder, Colorado and Bryan Phillips of Phoenix, Arizona; and many great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his parents, one brother in infancy; and a twin sister in infancy.

bonnie joecken (Alcock) on April 20, 2017 at 4:00 PM said:

Remembering Dean when I was young & a member of the Frederika Methodist Church. He was always there at church & Sunday School with his sisters & attentive with a smile to all that came in contact with him. My sympathy is with all of you, his family & friends. Here's hoping all the memories you made with Dean will carry you on.

Jerelyn & Brent Steere on April 20, 2017 at 7:58 AM said:

Our sympathy to all sisters and their families.

Laure Meyer on April 20, 2017 at 7:37 AM said:

Sending prayers to the family of Dean and hugs to the loving and caring sisters of Dean. Your family gave us all examples of how to care for our loved ones. Be in peace Dean and family. ??

Amy Anderson on April 19, 2017 at 7:19 PM said:

Dean always had a smile of pure joy. He will be missed.

Geri Kelsey Salisbury on April 19, 2017 at 5:48 PM said:

Wilma and family, my sympathies for your loss. He will definitely be missed. When mom was at the NH, she talked about him so much and how active he had been his whole life.
Hugs and prayers to you all.

Kraig Baldwin Family on April 19, 2017 at 4:25 PM said:

Deano will be truely missed by my wife (Doreen), daughter (Megan), and son (Phillip)..All of them Loved Deano deeply..Phillip will have alot of great memories with Deano watching the Cubbies and Iowa Hawkeyes...Our prayers are with his family...

Garnetta on April 19, 2017 at 3:18 PM said:

I enjoyed being freind while i was at TNH my deepest sympathy to the famiiies. God bless to all of you

Rebecca Swyers on April 19, 2017 at 3:01 PM said:

Thinking and praying for your family. Deano was such a great guy and always had a smile. He will be missed by many. So happy he got to see the Cubies win the World Series!

Jane Bernard on April 19, 2017 at 2:03 PM said:

Sorry for your loss, Wilma and family. Dean was a pleasant man when Dad was his roommate and seemed to enjoy the little things in life, including the Cubs BB games. You were a great sister to him and can feel proud of all the care and love you gave to him. With sincere sympathy...

Randy & Neysa Rinkenberger on April 19, 2017 at 1:29 PM said:

Sorry to hear of Dean's passing Wilma and family. Special prayers for a special family.

Karel and Jeff Brengman on April 19, 2017 at 8:31 AM said:

Always a smile. Dean brought joy to all he those who knew him. Blessed be his memory.

Brad & Kim Bunce family on April 19, 2017 at 7:07 AM said:

Our thoughts and prayers and with the family. I know that Branigan has wonderful memories of Dean when she worked at the nursing home. Dean will truly be missed. Our deepest sympathies.

Judy (Townsend) Bahlmann on April 18, 2017 at 5:55 PM said:

I worked with Earl at Newel and at his home at Heartland Hills. He was an inspiration to me with his positive attitude. He will be missed.

Add Comment

Add Comment