Gordon "Dean" Dean Schlegel

Schlegel, Gordon Dean, age 77, died Monday, February 2, 2015. Visitation 6 to 8 p.m. tonight with family present; funeral service 11 a.m. Thursday, both at Hillside Funeral Home, 2929 W. 13th Street, Wichita; burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Oatville. Dean was born August 21, 1937 in LaCrosse, KS, the son of Alvin J. and Clara (Yost) Schlegel. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Bryan Schlegel. Survivors include: wife, Betty; sons, James (Lisa), of Wichita, Gary (Mary), of Seiling, OK; step-sons, Eddie (Rachel) Peay, Scott (Kim) Peay, both of Wichita; sister, Karen (Lawrence) Armstrong, of Wichita; brothers, AJ (Lana), of Rose Hill, Jerry (Marie), of Joplin, MO; 11 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren.

Dean loved being around cars, was a service advisor at Turner Ford, Rusty Eck Ford, and finished his career with Donovan Cadillac, retiring in 2002. He restored old cars, loved to go to car shows, was an avid sportman and never missed opening day of deer and pheasant season.

Dean married Betty Peay on February 11, 2000 and they began enjoying life to the fullest. Dean was a cancer survivor, having been struck by the disease three different times and types in his life. He never gave up, always faced each day with a smile for everyone and always made plans for the future. They enjoyed traveling with his sister and brother-in-law, him showing her the West and her taking him to the South. He was “Pops” to the younger generation of grandchildren and was very involved in their lives, taking them on road trips, to pre-school, and always having some kind of treat by his chair anytime they came over.

A special thanks to Dr. Shultz and his staff at Cancer Center of Kansas, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, and all the friends and family that supported him during his illness.