Dorothy Dean Zander

Born November 9, 1913 in Peoria to George A. “Tim” and Louise (Dempsey) Dean, she married Carl William Zander, Sr. on August 31, 1935 in Peoria.

Surviving are one son, the Rev. C. William (Nancy) Zander, Jr. of Peoria; one daughter, Marilyn Kay (Rev. Eugene) Lewis of Gobles, MI.

Also surviving are 5 grandchildren, Elizabeth Zander Hale of Crofton, MD, Erich Wilhelm Zander of Glendale, CA, Kristopher A. (Brenda Butler) Zander of Springfield, IL, Andrew Gene (Jeanine) Lewis of St. Joseph, MI and Brian Timothy (Jessica) Lewis of Watervliet, MI; four great grandchildren, Lauren Hale (Don McMullen) of Edgewater, MD, Beatrix Zander of Glendale, CA, Harrison Lewis and Amelia Lewis both of St. Joseph, MI; and one great great granddaughter, Maya McMullen of Edgewater, MD.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years on July 17, 1997; one granddaughter, Kyle Lynne Zander 1993; one granddaughter-in-law, Melissa Martin Zander 2008; two sisters, Catherine Dean Sweet, Jessie Dean Rench; and one brother, George Alva “Bud” Dean.

Dorothy was grateful to and proud of her grandmother, Mary Catherine Dean, who at the age of 60 raised her and her older siblings at ages 2, 4, 6, and 8, when their parents died.

She worked in the cafeteria at the East Peoria Community High School for over 20 years before retiring. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of East Peoria for 70 years, where she was a former Sunday School Teacher. She and her husband served as Parish Visitors for their church for 10 years calling on an average of 300 people a month.

Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 23, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church of East Peoria with the Revs. Mary Arnold and Dr. Phillip Icenogle officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria and also 30 minutes before services Friday at church. Burial will be at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria.

Memorials may be made to her church.