Obituaries

Russell ‘Dean’ Long, 86, of Clarion, passed away Monday, April 29, 2019 at the Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services for Dean Long will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 12:00 PM at the United Presbyterian Church, 219 1st Street Northwest in Clarion, with Pastor Bill Kem officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Russell Dean Long was born February 17, 1933 in Eagle Grove, Iowa to Russell and Charlotte (Hull) Long. Dean was raised and educated in Clarion, graduating from Clarion High School with the Class of 1951. He continued to be an active member of his class, assisting with the organization of reunions and notifying classmates when a death occurred.

Following high school, Dean, along with his brother Dick, enlisted in the United States Army. He was deployed to Germany and was honorably discharged in May of 1955.

Dean was united in marriage to Gwen Mellott, and they were blessed with two children, Stephanie and Matthew. The couple later divorced.

Upon returning to Clarion from the service, Dean worked at Barlow’s clothing store, at Robie’s Super-Valu and for KRIT in Clarion, working on-air and in advertising sales until the station was sold. Dean also owned and operated his own sign painting business, which appealed to his artistic side.

Dean was united in marriage to Alicia Dean on December 31, 1986 at the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion. The couple made their home in Clarion. Over the years, they welcomed foreign exchange students to Clarion by sharing their home with them.

Dean loved to travel, he and Alicia spent winters in Weslaco, Texas for 20 years, stopping at various points of interest along the way. Their trips were filled with music, as they would sing the entire way. He enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, playing cards, researching genealogy and fishing at Lake Cornelia.

Dean was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion, and the Clarion Lions Club. He and Alicia also participated in a chorus in Texas in the winters.

Dean will be lovingly remembered for being a kind, loving gentleman.

Dean is survived by his wife Alicia of Clarion; daughter Stephanie (Tim) Schultz of Clarion; grandchildren Briana Schultz, Dustin Long, and Eli Long; several great-grandchildren; Alicia’s son Gary (Diane) Dean of Waukee and their children Brad (Kallie) Dean and children Emma, Maialyn, Owen, and Grace, Eric (Holly) Dean and daughter Addilyn, and Kristalyn (Mike) Goodenbour and daughter Lucy, Alicia’s son Mark Dean of Corpus Christi, Texas and daughter Madeline, Alicia’s late daughter, Sherry’s children, John (Jenna) German and children Desi and Ethan, Nick (Stacy) German and children Paige, Justin and Brecklyn; siblings Diane (Mort) Maltby and Caroyl (Rick) Clayton; brother-in law Paul Hardy and sister-in-law Betty Long; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, son Matthew Long, siblings Cheryl Hardy and Richard Long, step-daughter Sherry Severson, and step-grandson Brandon J. Dean.