in memoriam
expanded eulogies
Dean Armstrong
Dean A. Armstrong, 85, of Marion, passed away May 23 at St. Luke Hospital in Marion. In accordance with Dean’s wishes there will be no public services.
Dean’s life began Feb. 22, 1935, in Jefferson, Ohio. He was a son of Stephen K. and Viola L. (Engel) Armstrong and was a 1953 graduate of Blume High School in Wapakoneta, Ohio.
Dean served his country in the United States Army. Dean earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard University School of Business.
Dean had been employed by General Motors in Anderson, Indiana, as plant manager before moving to El Dorado with his wife, Marilyn, and his family in 1978. Dean joined his second cousin, Richard Teichgraber, as owner of International Petroleum Services.
After selling his share of International Petroleum Services, Dean purchased Florence State Bank, where he served as president and owner. Dean owned several Florence businesses including Inlow Foam, Marion Insurance Company, Florence Funeral Home, and a restaurant.
He married a second time to Kathryn Park in September of 1988 in Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Dean moved to Marion in 2003 and was an avid golfer at Marion Country Club; he was very involved in Florence Chamber of Commerce and was a Phi Delta Theta brother at Purdue University.
Dean was especially instrumental in helping encourage and develop business in Marion County. He was a trusted advisor and friend to many in the region and around the world.
Dean’s greatest joy was his family, which includes wife, Kate, of Marion; children Ann (and husband Tim) Heide of Austin, Texas, and Ellen (and husband Mike) Egan of El Dorado; stepchildren Rhonda (and husband Eldon) Hett of Marion, Bret (and wife Randi) O’Dell of Peabody, and Brenda (and husband William) Clouse of Smithville, Missouri; grandchildren John Egan, Jaymie (and husband Jesse) Adams, Ashton Heide, and Olivia Heide; step-grandchildren Jerod (and wife Natalie) Justin (and wife Brea) Hett, Shawna (and husband Albert) Johnson, Megan (and husband Joel) Thomas, Alysha (and husband Alex) Haines, Kellan and Keaton Clouse; great-grandchildren Easton, Nina and Ian Hett; Lilly, Otis and Guss Hett; Caileigh and Carlynn Johnson; Rylee and Clayton Thomas, and Tessa and Rhett Haines; sister June (and husband Jack) Hoffman of Phoenix, Arizona, and Wapakoneta, Ohio; and nieces and nephews Jayne Hoffman, Jeffrey Hoffman, John Hoffman, Jacalyn Hoffman, Jodi Hoffman, Jenifer Hoffman, Jason Hoffman, Eric Armstrong, and Mark Armstrong.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sons Neil A. and Jay Armstrong, brother Neil Alden Armstrong, and niece Karen Armstrong.
Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the family. Memorial contributions in Dean’s name may be directed to St. Luke Hospital Foundation or Florence American Legion. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Dean at www.ymzfh.com.