Services: Thursday, June 1, 2023, 10:30 A.M., Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 24116 Marian Avenue, Glenwood, Iowa.
Private Interment: Glenwood Cemetery, Glenwood, Iowa.
John Chadwick Dean, 97, of Glenwood, Iowa passed away May 26, 2023. He was born August 30, 1925 at home, in Glenwood, Iowa to Leonard C. and Marguerite (Savage) Dean.
John was raised in Glenwood, attending Glenwood Public Schools and working summers at Glenwood State Bank. In addition, he was active in 4-H and the Boy Scouts. This was also the time that John developed his love for dogs, horses, cattle, farming, hunting…anything outdoors.
During his high school years, being too young to enlist in the “regular” army, he joined the “State Guard”, which had been organized by the State of Iowa for those patriots that were not of draftable age. He joined the State Guard at age 16 and served until he graduated from high school in 1943, and then enlisted in the United States Army at the age of seventeen. John was not called to serve his country until he turned 18, which then took him to Camp Roberts in California; Ft. Benning in Georgia (for OCS where he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Infantry); Ft. Hood in Texas (teaching infantry basic training); Ft. Robinson in Nebraska (where he trained war dogs and was first introduced to Nebraska cattle ranches); back to Ft. Hood; and finally to Germany with the Temporary Occupational Force to coordinate the deployment of war dogs back to the States.
John was discharged from service in 1946, started college at the University of Nebraska in the fall, ultimately graduating in three years, and then enrolling at Nebraska Law School in 1949. After one year of law school, he was recalled for the Korean Conflict and stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas as Commanding Officer of the Scout Dog Training Center. In 1952 he was released from the army, went back to finish law school, graduated in 1953, was admitted to the Iowa and Nebraska Bar, and ultimately returned home to work alongside his father at Glenwood State Bank in 1954.
John was united in marriage to Carol Copland, of Los Angeles, California in 1954, and to this union three children were born: Jeff, Martha and Grant. John worked full-time at Glenwood State Bank into his 90’s, and then went part-time up until his passing. He was active in numerous clubs and organizations (local, state and national), a charter member of Glenwood Industrial Foundation, member of Glenwood Water Board for nearly sixty years, Farmer Mac Board of Directors, Iowa Horseman Hall of Fame, testified before Congress on banking issues, was invited to Russia to discuss agriculture law in an attempt to modernize their farming practices, made annual pheasant hunting trips to South Dakota with college friends in to his 80’s, and reluctantly gave up horse-training at age ninety.
John had an insatiable desire to learn and never stopped asking questions, he never met a stranger, always “knew someone” from your hometown, was never stationed any place that he “didn’t have fun”, could tell you an interesting or unusual spot to visit no matter where you were, had travelled the world, and yet, his two favorite places to be were Halsey, Nebraska and Glenwood, Iowa. “We have the greatest country in the world and we live in the garden spot of it.”
Preceding John in death were his parents, and his daughter, Martha Winum, in 2008. He is survived by Carol Dean; children Jeff and wife Joan Dean of Pacific Junction; Grant and wife Kate Dean of Glenwood; son-in-law Larry and wife Terri Winum of Glenwood; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of friends.
Memorial donations may be directed to: Glenwood Golf Course or Bloom Senior Center in Glenwood, Iowa.
40 Condolences
I always enjoyed talking to John as he had a wealth of knowledge on so many subjects. No, we didn’t always agree but his contributions to this community have been many and varied and his passing is a sad day for glenwood.
Ryan, I agree! John Dean was a Glenwood Treasure!
Rest in peace John. Prayers for all in your family.
So sorry for your loss. He was the nicest person ever at Glenwood bank always a smile and willing to help. The world needs more people like him. R.I.P MR. DEAN.
Sorry for your family’s loss
We are sorry for your loss. He was a great man.
John was a great man that do so much for so many people, myself included. He will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers to each of you in your time of loss. 🙏🏻
I am so sorry for the loss of OUR friend! What a guy! I so enjoyed visiting with John in his office at the bank and at Linnwood Estates when I would visit Dad, Calvin Deitchler..Dad and John have been friends since the 30s. There is a photo of Dad and John on their horses in the 1939 Homecoming Parade.on Dad’s wall to this day!
John and I would visit about Mineola, horses and our wire-haired pointer dogs along with some foolishness and laughs. Rest in Peace, John, and keep ‘em smiling up there! You will be missed so much!
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I am so sorry for the loss of OUR friend. John and I had many visits in his office in the bank and at Linnwood Estates when I would visit Dad, Calvin Deitchler. Dad and John were friends since the 1930’s; there is a photo of Dad and John on their horses in the 1939 Homecoming Parade to this day! Rest in Peace, John…
you will be missed by so many…keep ‘em smiling up there!
What a life….I didn’t know most of his history but what an asset to the Glenwood community. Rest in peace Mr. Dean.
John was a great guy, I would meet him at the Phoenix airport a few times and he would always recognize me and we had good conversations. The community will definitely miss his presence and knowledge. Condolences to the family and extended friends. Rest in Peace John!
John will be greatly missed by our family. He was an iconic presence in Glenwood and always had a joke and usually a story to tell, often several. Wish I had a dollar for every time he offered to bail someone out of jail. Heartfelt condolences to the Dean family. RIP John.
Many condolences to the family and friends of John.
I always enjoyed John’s visits to the Courthouse. He usually brought a packet for the Supervisors to read with suggestions for them. He always had a joke to tell & he never missed an opportunity to vote in all Elections. I remember many conversations with him. He has done a lot in the community & he will be missed. Sending my condolences to the family.
Condolences to the Dean family. We enjoyed visiting with John at the bank and around town. John always took a special interest in the young people in town and gave his support to our community. Our Grandson, Nathan was very fortunate to call John a friend, and so were we. John will be missed by so many.
To the Dean family, Your wonderful father was a great person to do banking with as understaning person. He was a great member of rhe community involved in all areas for all. Enjoyed visiting with him.
John was a relative from my dad’s side of the family. I knew Margurite and remember when mom and Marguerite would attend Bridge Club together. I got to know John after dad died and spent time talking with him by phone about business things. We sometimes talked about my living in California and he always said I lived in the best part of California, near the mountains, near the Pacific, and in the middle of horse country by the Foothills. He was right. I appreciated his help my business dealings, and always loved talking with him. A great loss to Glenwood, and all the other people that he knew. Condolences to Jeff and Grant and their families, and to Martha’s family. John Dean will be missed.
Very sorry for the loss of your loved one. RIP John Dean From the Duane Fritz family 🙏🏻
I’m so saddened to hear of John’s passing. He was such a force in Glenwood and a great friend to our family. He will be missed by all who knew him.
We loved your dad for his uncanny sense of humor, adventurous spirit, and willingness to share his wisdom! The world seems dimmer knowing he is gone and our hearts break for you! We will keep you all in our prayers!
I remember, so many years ago, working on a presentation for John Dean at Glenwood State Bank. My dream was to own Unique Fashion Apparel and with John’s guidance and support….it happened. Sorry to read that he has passed, my condolences to John’s family, he will be missed by many.
I remember John so well. When I worked at the Chamber with Linda Washburn, he would stop in, almost daily, to talk and tell a story. He was an amazing man with a huge capacity to give, and to care about everyone he met. Terry and I will always remember his gift of friendship.
John was one of the friendliest men in town and always had a smile or short story to tell. My condolences to all of the Dean families.
From Ben Washburn:
John was the first person I did business with and the first banker to believe in me. Over many years, I listened and learned from John a lot instilling values, an honest day’s work and the importance of keeping your word with a handshake. Our visits were highlights of my childhood into becoming an adult. John stuck to the basics, kept things simple, had a great sense of humor and a way of helping you keep your attitude positive even when things didn’t turn out or go your way. John always wanted to hear my stories while traveling, how my work was going and especially any adventures with wild women. We also talked about interest rates, the fed, congress and politics, supply and demand, the economy, farms, agriculture, cattle, the Glenwood Golf Course, the ranch and our families.
From Ben Washburn:
Catching up with both our families is how we started every visit and meeting I have had with John and his genuine care and compassion was always present with many funny stories and jokes as well. Not one visit or meeting with John went by without him talking about taking his Iowa Bar Exam at my great-grandfather Henry’s congressional desk at the Iowa State Capitol in the early 1950’s in Des Moines. John was extremely proud of his accomplishment and I was equally proud that our family history played a role in that part of John’s life and story. John always wanted to make sure I was having fun and reminded me always who to call if I ever needed bail money.
From Ben Washburn:
He insisted that I could always put chewing gum on the escalator of the Downtown Des Moines Marriott and watch it circle around! John sent his son Jeff and my father Rob out to his ranch in Halsey, Nebraska annually for us to hand-pick the best steers to be roped off horseback by Sandhills cowboys in the crisp, fall air and sent back to SW Iowa to win purple and blue ribbons at the Mills County Fairs and Aksarben Stock Shows. John extended my first loan of many for all those cattle, 4-H pigs and assisted with cash flow to me when I was nine years old. How grateful and lucky I am to have known John Dean and all he stands for while teaching me how money works.
From Ben Washburn:
John Dean represented a pillar to community, character, doing the right thing and always remembering to have fun in life with a zest and sense of humor with quick wit. A servant American patriot to his country, a cowboy, a loving father and grandfather, a banker, a farmer, a leader, a philanthropist, John Dean served and gave while being humble and a friend to so many. John was one-of-a-kind and I am going to miss our visits and meetings very much as will so, so many family and friends. From the Washburn family to the Dean clan and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Telling John’s story, legacy and memories over so many years means he lived a great, long life and as it should be, sharing these stories and memories keeps his spirit alive in all of us who were so fortunate enough to know him and share in his humor and wisdom. Rest in Peace, John!
My prayers to John’s family! What a long great life John had! Always loved talking with John and absorbed his wisdom and passion for agriculture! RIP my friend!! 🙏
My Dad and John’s Dad were good friends and John was an impressionable young man , I enjoyed meeting him and doing business with the Glenwood Bank, he will be missed by many.
John was a dear friend. My first banker. I learned a lot from him. He always had a good corny joke…” why did the elephant
paint his toenails red?”… “” so he could hide in the cherry tree””
My sincere condolences to her all his dear friends and family
Ty Benton
Sincere Sympathy to the Dean family…
My Grandpatents, Parents, and I have known the Dean’s our entire lives. I could tell stories but it would fill the page and still not have divulged all of them. A personality we all should possess and a business sense like no other will be remembered by many. He loved life and all that it encountered! Condolences to the entire family and he will be missed however, he is in his happy place. God Bless
To the Dean family, so sorry to hear of John’s passing He was a great friend of our family and my second Dad, Dale Lincoln. Dad and John shared their love for horses; and training them. They, along with Johnny Helms, we’re big promoters of the Glenwood Horse Shows. John’s door was always open- you could ask his advice, opinion, or just tell/ hear a story. He helped me open my checking account for 4H when I was Ten. If I needed a loan; he would say write the check; and we’ll do the paperwork when you get to town. He helped me and my brother when our Mom’s nursing home bills started piling up.He said “Let’s keep her comfortable now-we’ll work things out later.” I’m sure he helped countless others the same way. All you needed was your word and a handshake. His presence will be missed.
Sorry for your loss I know he will be missed by many John was my first banker at 17. He helped me with all i wanted and guided me in the right direction to such a great man.
Glenwood State Bank was my first job as a Senior at Glenwood High School. Martha and I did part time work as tellers. John Dean also approved my first loan of $1000 dollars —He was certainly an influence for my early days of handling money.
The Glenwood State Bank is the bedrock of the Community and John such a positive and encouraging man. Heartfelt condolences for the entire Dean family and extended family.
May John RIP and be comforted in reuniting with Martha.
My sincere condolences to the Dean family at this difficult time.
John was one of the first people we met when we moved to Glenwood. We saw the Western Store sign by where he lived and stopped by to shop in the store that no longer existed. John was outside and invited us to look at his trick horses. He showed us some of the tricks his horses did. I loved talking politics with John. He will be missed.
Prayers of comfort for the entire Dean family.
I am so sorry for your loss. John was a great man in our community.
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