Dean Erwin, age 74, a resident of Uniontown, Kansas, died Wednesday, September 2, 2015, at his home in Uniontown.  He and a twin sister Jean were born January 27, 1941, in Flora, Illinois, the son of William Ballard and Muriel Erwin.  Dean graduated from the Flora High School and from Ottawa University.  He later received a Master’s Degree from Ft. Hays State University.  Dean married DeLores Roach Dowdy on May 25, 1968, in Kansas City.  She preceded him in death on November 24, 2013.  Dean was a life-long coach and educator in the state of Kansas.  He served with the Prescott, Holcomb, Jewell, Jefferson County North and Uniontown school districts.  Dean was a proud member of the Republican Party.  He was active on the grassroots level where he helped with campaigning and fund raising.  Following retirement from education, Dean worked for Renzerberger, Inc. where he helped transport railroad crews.  He was also an avid fisherman.  Dean was generous with his time and enjoyed volunteering for the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary as well as helping his many dear friends and neighbors in the Uniontown community.  He was a member of the Community Christian Church.

 

   Survivors include a son, David Erwin and wife, Tami, of Salem, Nebraska and a daughter, Stephanie Smith and husband, Jason, of Topeka, Kansas; four grandchildren, Mitch, Amanda, Dallas and Katharine.  Also surviving are a brother, Jerry Lee Erwin, of Xenia, Illinois, two sisters, Jo Kraucunas and husband, Wyette, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Jean Hinson, of Pleasant Valley, Missouri who is his twin; and a sister-in-law, Mary Erwin, of Tempe, Arizona.  Dean loved family, family gatherings, enjoyed his nieces & nephews and all the friends that are considered family. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill and Bob Erwin.

 

   A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 19, 2015, at Hoosier Prairie Cemetery, Louisville, Illinois.  All friends and family are welcome to attend.  Memorials are suggested to the Community Christian Church or Hospice Compassus and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. 

 

   Frank & Bright Funeral Home is assisting the family with local arrangements.

 

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