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- Obit: Published in Peoria Journal Star on Nov. 6, 2014
WASHINGTON - Dean Richard Zehr, 82, of Washington, Ill., passed away and went home to the Lord on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014.
He was born Feb. 24, 1932, in Foosland, Ill., to the Rev. Harold and Alma (Unzicker) Zehr. He married Kathleen Imhoff in 1958, who preceded him in death in 2008.
He is survived by his children, Debra (Dave) Frohberg of West Lafayette, Ind., Rita (Dave) Kirkwood of Bloomington, Ill., Stan (Julie) Zehr of Eureka, Ill., and Curt (Sue) Zehr of Washington, Ill.; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Lila (Ron) King, Rachel Zehr, Alan (Carol) Zehr, Hazel Yoder, John Zehr and W. Jay Zehr.
One sister, one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law preceded him in death.
Faith, family and farming were the cornerstones of Dean's life. As a young adult, he served with Mennonite Central Committee in Europe, helping World War II refugees rebuild their lives. His "PAX buddies" became lifelong friends who he and Kathy cherished. He was an active member of Metamora Mennonite Church, where he served in a variety of ways, including as elder and Sunday school teacher.
Dean's family was also a very important aspect in his life. He supported and encouraged his children in their many different activities and enjoyed going to various grandchildren's activities. Whether it was giving his grandchildren rides on his combine, having cousins come spend a week on the farm, going on vacations with siblings, or going to the "Zehr Family Reunion," Dean loved being with his family.
Dean grew up on a grain and livestock farm and raised Duroc hogs as a boy. After returning from Europe and marrying Kathy, he started grain farming with Kathy's father, Glenwood Imhoff, and raising Duroc swine again. This developed into selling swine across the U.S. and to foreign countries and making many lifelong friends in the pork industry. He was given the Illinois Master Swine Seedstock Producer Award and the Land of Lincoln Breeders Award for exhibiting swine at the Illinois State Fair for more than 50 years.
Dean was a member of the Illinois Farm Bureau, the Illinois Pork Producers Association and the National Duroc Swine Registry. He served as president of the Woodford County Pork Producers and Illinois Duroc Breeders Association and secretary of the Illinois Purebred Swine Council. He also served on the Pleasant View Grade School Board and the Pleasant View Fire and Park District boards.
Funeral services for Dean will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Metamora Mennonite Church, with burial following in Hickory Point Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church and from noon Saturday until time of service.
Memorials for Dean may be directed to either the church or Mennonite Central Committee.
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