H Dean Gutshall

H. Dean Gutshall, 95, of Sheffield passed away at 8:55 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at Washington Christian Village in Washington, Ill. Dean was a lifelong resident of Bureau County. Born Oct. 29, 1916, to Roy W. & Emma F. (Eckhoff) Gutshall in Sheffield, he married Frances G. Coddington on Jan. 23, 1940, in Princeton. She preceded him in death on March 18, 2003. Survivors are three daughters, Mitzie (Joe) Ehlen of Peoria, Jill (Noel) Nunley of Phoenix, Ariz., and Jacqueline (Tom) Vander Meersch of Rock Island; four grandchildren, Grant Siebels of Edwards; Eric (Jennifer) Vander Meersch of Moline; Mitchell Vander Meersch of New Orleans, La.; and Kyle Vander Meersch of Southbury, Conn.; four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Shushana Nunley;one brother, Ferris Gutshall and one sister, Evelyn Bergdall. A graduate of Sheffield High School in 1934.he was a lifetime farmer, retiring in 2000. He was an avid hunter and taught many men "the ropes". He also loved to play fastpitch softball and participated in league play with his nephews until he was 60, a record which is yet to be broken. He was a ultimate Cub fan, and never gave up on them, demonstrating his eternal optimism. He was a charter member of the Princeton Bible Church and attended Bunker Hill Church of God, Buda. He sang publicly and to glorify his risen Savior until two days before his death, but considered himself a "corn field" singer - neighbors could often hear him as he tilled the fields. He answered to many salutations, but was "Uncle Dean" or "Unc" to everyone. We miss him already. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the Bunker Hill Church of God, Buda with the Rev. Fred Criminger officiating. Burial will be in Hopeland Cemetery, Buda. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Grant-Johnson Funeral Home, Princeton. Pallbearers will be Brian Bergdall, Cole Gutshall, Adam Gutshall, Ben Gutshall, Grant Siebels, Eric Vander Meersch, Mitchell Vander Meersch and Kyle Vander Meersch. Memorials may be directed to Washington Supportive Living or O.S.F Hospice, Peoria.