Kenneth Dean

Reverend Kenneth L. Dean, 92, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 8:35 am June 10, 2025 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon. He was born October 28, 1932 in Freeburg, Illinois to the late Willet and Edith (Barrow) Dean. Kenneth married Dorris Dean on December 22, 1951 in Carterville, Illinois.
In addition to his beloved wife, Kenneth is survived by his daughters, Sherri Calladine and husband, David and Susan Asroff and husband, Steve, all of Florida; son, Michael Dean of West Virginia; grandchildren, Jacob Asroff of California, Jonathan Asroff of Illinois, Jenny Calladine of Pennsylvania, and Joseph Calladine of Arizona; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Janet Lewis and husband, Dr. William Lewis of Edwardsville, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Willet and Edith (Barrow) Dean, Kenneth was preceded in death by his brother, Reverend Bill Dean; and his grandparents.
Kenneth moved to Carterville, Illinois in 1944. He graduated from CCHS in 1950. He later graduated from SIU in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications, then from U of Dubuque in 1960 with a Masters in Divinity. Kenneth became an Ordained Deacon in 1957 at the Southern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church at Carbondale, Illinois and later an Ordained Elder in 1960 at Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church in Joliet, Illinois.
Kenneth was Chosen Young Man of the year by the Jaycees in 1965, given Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in 1966, and selected for Who's Who Young Men of America in 1967.
Kenneth served as pastor to churches in the Southern Illinois Conference and Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. The churches include Fountain rural Marion, Valier-Greenwood, Harmon-Nelson, Belleville Union, Albany Olympia Fields, St. Matthew in Belleville, Nashville, First United Methodist Church of Altamont, and the First United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon.
Kenneth worked as the Corporate Director for Hoffman-LaRoche from 1969-1977, Corporate Director for Gulf Oil from 1977-1985, Corporate Director for General Dynamics from 1985-1987, and Assistant to the President of McKendree University from 1987-1988.
Kenneth was a great man who didn't know a stranger, saw the good in people, and in life. It was his sole purpose to connect with people and God. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him.
Per his wishes, Kenneth will be cremated and no services will be held at this time.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.