Arthur Franklin Dean of Hamel, Il, born March 15, 1941, passed away on Thursday, December 30, 2021 surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Art grew up in the Tank Town area of Granite City, where he met the love of his life, Janet Matyas. After graduating from Granite City High School, the childhood sweethearts married on June 11, 1960. Together they raised their four boys. Art was a hard worker, sometimes holding down three jobs to provide for his family. He worked many years as a union meat cutter, retiring in 2002. He was devoted to his wife and family, and spent many hours with his boys as they trained for and participated in sports. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved taking care of his home, his lawn, and maintaining and polishing his car.

Art always had a smile on his face, most of the time humming or whistling a tune. When he and Janet moved to Hamel, Il in 2004, they made many new friends. Art never met a stranger and loved to joke with people, even kidding with those new to the neighborhood, by introducing
himself as the "mayor" of Hamel. Art was a member of First Baptist Maryville, and enjoyed attending early service each Sunday with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Ely and Ellen (nee Wagner) Dean; four brothers:  Billy, Robert, Eddie, and Marvin Dean; and a sister, Alice Molahon.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janet Karen (nee Matyas) Dean; four sons: David (Wanda) Dean of Highland, IL, Joe (Tammy) Dean of Highland, IL, Tim (Lisa) Dean of Conroe, TX, and Jim (Julie) Dean of Maryville, IL; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers: Richard and Clyde Dean; two sisters: Hellen Hollis and Donna Mueller; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 4 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL.  Due to current state restrictions, masks are required to be worn.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 7, 2022 at the funeral home with Rev. Tom Hufty officiating.  Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Glen Carbon, IL.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Maryville and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home at 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.