J. Dean Underwood

J. Dean Underwood\r\nMattoon, IL-J. Dean Underwood, age 92, of Peoria, Illinois, formerly of Mattoon, IL, died at 3:50 a.m., Sunday, March 24, 2013, in her apartment at Lutheran Hillside Village in Peoria, IL. She passed peacefully in the presence of her family. \r\n\r\nVisitation will be Monday, April 1, 2013, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, in Mattoon, IL, 61938. The funeral service in her honor will begin at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 2, at the First United Methodist Church, 1601 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, IL, 61938.\r\nBeginning two hours prior to the service there will be a celebration of gospel songs to honor Dean's life-long love of music. Pastor Paul Park of Lutheran Hillside will officiate the service with the assistance of Reverend Ken Hutchens. Burial will follow in Dodge Grove Cemetery in Mattoon, IL. In addition, a memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 3, at Lutheran Hillside Village, 6901 North Galena Road, Peoria, IL, 61614. \r\n\r\nDean was born April 21, 1920, on a farm in Williamson County, IL, the youngest daughter of Omer and Ollie (White) Evans. She married her childhood sweetheart Robert (Bob) Lee Underwood on August 13, 1939, in Madisonville, KY, with Bob's uncle, Tommy Coleman, performing the ceremony.\r\n \r\nShe is survived by two sons; Gary L. Underwood of Peoria, IL, and Tom E. Underwood and wife Julie of Liberty, MO; grandchildren, Brandon Underwood of Urbana, IL, Heather Heppner and husband Paul of Naperville, IL, and Sam Harris of Saint Louis, MO; and great-grandson, Lucas Micah Heppner. She was preceded in death by her dearly beloved husband, Bob; her parents; one brother, Cline; and four sisters, Aileen, Velsie, Mae and Verna.\r\n \r\nDean was active in the Pentecostal Church in Pulley's Mill, IL, and used her love of and talent in music to play guitar and sing there. She met Bob when she was fourteen and after their marriage six years later went with him to St. Louis, MO. He served in the United States Aircorp during World War II and she worked in a munitions plant. During that time their first son, Gary, was born. They then moved to Mattoon, IL, where Bob opened a dental laboratory. Dean had their second son, Tom, and worked as a mother and homemaker as well as working at the laboratory part time. They joined the First United Methodist Church in Mattoon, IL, and were active servants of God there for over fifty years. They were members of the Champion Sunday School Class and for many years Dean served a weekly breakfast for a large prayer group that met at their home. She loved caring for her family, home and friends. In 2000, they moved to Lutheran Hillside where Bob passed in 2005 and Dean lived until her death.\r\n\r\nDean's passing will leave a void in our world, but the memories of her soft caring way; her love of her family, friends and fellow man, and for the Lord God who created them; and her sweet southern drawl, sparkling dark eyes and infectious laughter will help fill that loss.\r\n\r\nMemorials in her honor may be made to the LHV Foundation, 6901 N. Galena Rd., Peoria, IL, 61614. \r\n\r\nPlease visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with her family. \r\n

Tributes

J. Dean Underwood

April 21, 2020 - March 24, 2013