OREGON – D. Dean Dye, 83, of Oregon passed away Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, surrounded by his loving family.

Dean was born July 27, 1932, in Holcomb, Missouri, the son of Owen T. and Dula (Vaughn) Dye. He married Dorris M. Pool on Aug. 9, 1949, in Piggott, Arkansas. Dean Dye leaves a big footprint in the community and beyond. He was a 50-year member of Oregon United Methodist Church. At the time of his death, he was attending the Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley. In 1961, he began more than 50 years of owning and operating more than a dozen businesses in the community, including: D. Dean Dye Co. –The Fashion Store, Dyeco Allstates Trailer Sales, Dyeco Modular Homes, Countryside East Apartments, Hickory Heights Subdivision, Dye Store Fixtures and Display Co., Pines Plaza, Conover Square, Conover Square Furniture, Wellington Jewelry, Schiller House Restaurant, Furniture Plus, and Oregon Self-Storage. In 1987, he was named Oregon Citizen of the Year.

Dean is survived by his wife; his children, Cherri (Greg) Tremble of Oregon, Tearyl (Tim) Harris of Pekin, and Scott (Ashley) Dye of Richardson, Texas. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Mailee (Kurt) Smith, Jarrett (Emily) Harris, Jason (Becky) Tremble, Melissa (Aaron) Beaty, Tiffani (Tim) Williams, Brandon (Erin) Tremble, Ashley (Tom) Stahl, Erik (Andra Meiners) Tremble, and Samantha Dye. Dean also is survived by 18 great-grandchildren, Moses, ZuZu, and Hosanna Smith, Olive Harris, Josh and Jillian Tremble, Morgan and David Beaty, Owen and Ethan Greenfield, Carter and Sadie Williams, Evan, Liam, and Micah Stahl, and McKenna, Natalie, and Grace Tremble; two brothers, Harlan (Sue) Dye of Camdenton, Missouri, and Michael (Alma) Dye of Mount Vernon; brother-in-law, Elmer Sebastian of Ferguson, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Delbert Dye and Bill Dye; and one sister, Nina Sebastian.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at The Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley, with Chris Brauns, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery in Oregon.

Memorials may be directed to the Rockford Rescue Mission.