Don Dean

Billy Don Dean, 89, of Streator passed away Friday, December 8, 2023 at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital in Lake Forest, Illinois.

  Burial in Riverview Cemetery, Streator.   Full military rites were accorded by members of the Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post 217 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1492.

  Born January 1, 1934 in Sherman, Texas he was the son of Raymond and Berniece (Rea) Dean.  He married Joan Sincler on September 21, 1957.  She preceded him in death on September 10, 1978.  He later married Diana Woodward - Parr on December 10, 1981.

  He is survived by his wife, Diana Dean of Streator; a daughter, Debra (Matt) Costello of Houston, Texas; a son, Kevin (Tara) Dean of Streator; grandchildren, Millie Dean, Dalton Dean, Anabelle Dean and McKayla Costello; brother and sister in law, Tom and Betsy Woodward of St. Louis, Missouri; and a sister in law, Nadene Dean of Austin, Texas.

  He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; and a brother, Raymond Dean Jr; and his sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Dr. Jack Morgan.

  Raised in Sherman, Texas he graduated from Sherman High School in the class of 1952.  He later attended the University of Texas and earned a Degree in Business Administration in 1956.  While in college he served in the ROTC and was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.

  He served 3 years active duty in the United States Air Force in France.  While in the Air Force earned the rank of Captain and ran an Accounting office.

  In 1960 he moved to Streator and started a 31 year career at Streator Coca-Cola Bottling Company.  Along with his wife, Diana, they purchased the business in 1983.  As a Coca-Cola business owner, he bottled and sold Coca-Cola and other soft drinks in 5 counties in Central Illinois.  When the Dean’s sold their business in 1991 they were one of only a few remaining independent Coca-Cola Bottlers in the United States.

  He was a member of Park Presbyterian Church.  He also held memberships with the Streator Jaycees where he served as past-President, Streator Country Club, Streator Rotary where he served as past-President and a Paul Harris Fellow, Streator United Way where he served as campaign chairman and received the Tom Wilson award, Streator YMCA board where he served as past-President, National Soft Drink Association, Illinois Soft Drink Association and the Coca-Cola Bottlers Association.

  Don was a loving husband, father and grandfather and his family was the most important to him.  He was very active and dedicated to the community of Streator. He remained closely tied to his Southern heritage and loved his Texas Longhorns.  He will be dearly missed by his loving family and friends.