Preface- The following is the final post of my father LeRoy “Butch” Dean.
RIP 10/22/2020
If you are reading this, then I have left this earthly life to be with my heavenly Father. Now I see face to face and how I wish I could share that with you. What I can share with you is God’s merciful love for you that He tells us about in John 3:16. The most significant moment in my life was accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I encourage you to accept and trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
I was born and raised in Pontiac, Illinois to Roy and Mary Dean. My younger sister is Mary Helen (Sam) DuDash. I attended St. Mary’s Grade School and Pontiac Township High. Shortly after graduation, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy, saying goodbye to my growing up years in Pontiac.
My life was a journey of hills and valleys… ups and downs… success and failure. I lived in various places and always remembered those I met along the way. I learned a lot about a lot of things but was never a master of any. Eventually, my journey took me to the world of health care and I worked through the levels… as an orderly, a CNA, a LPN and finally at the age of 63, I became a RN.
To my wife Bonnie, I love you. You are a very special lady with a loving heart. Stay on course with your heavenly Father. He will wipe away your earthly tears and bring you peace. You will be ok. Remember the Notre Dame sweatshirt when you need a hug. I will be close by. We will be together again one day.
To my children who chose to be a part of my life, I thank you for your love. Live your life to the fullest. Trust in the Lord in all you do. To my children who chose not to be a part of my life, I love you. I forgive you. To my grandchildren and great grandchildren, I love you. Learn to obey your parents and to trust God. To my nieces and nephews, love life and others with all of your heart. To my friends, thanks for sharing some of the journey with me.
Wordsmith's Desk 
My heart just fell. I am in utter disbelief as I come to let this news sink in. Brother Butch had always a good support system for me when I started blogging years ago. And even over the last 2.5yrs since I lost my mother, he and Sister Bonnie were still of support in word and prayers. It was such an honor to even have a telephone call with your Dad. Wow. Though I struggled to write after my mother passed your father always managed to comment on a post of mine. So since I recently wrote I had to come back on to see if my Brother wrote something. I wasn’t expecting this.
My prayers and condolences are with you and your family. They truly are. The blog world as well as those outside of it that knew him personally lost a wonderful person but the Kingdom of God gained a son for eternity. He’s with Jesus now and God our Father until we meet face to face.
Ms. Bonnie, if you are reading this I want to send a big air hug to you. I want to cry but I can’t. This pain of losing a blog friend and brother in the Lord has me in shock. The ministry you have done in honor of your son which has blessed so many who lost a loved one has not gone unnoticed to many. Father God most definitely. If there is anything I can do for you please let me know. One day at a time is all you can do. I will be lifting you up in my prayers with much love.
In Christ,
Terra
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I popped into my account to search for Butch and wound up here. So very sad to hear this news. Butch was my mentor & friend. He helped me personally, often with wise correction on my Christian walk. I have always thought of him fondly & have not forgotten the lessons he taught. We met as I joined WordPress and commented on each other’s blogs. I would like to offer my loving condolences to Bonnie and family. I will always miss Butch, but I know he is with the Father and other loved ones who have also passed.
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I gasped out loud reading this. We never met, but I felt like I “knew” him through his writing. His walk in Faith was a source of inspiration to me. So sorry to all who loved him, of which I am sure there are many!! ~~ sincere regards, MJ
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* speechless * My deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Dean. He was my avid follower here on WordPress, and I don’t why. My posts are quite silly.
He has the kindest -looking photo avatar of all. I’m going to miss his LIKES on my blogsite.
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Butch was one of the first bloggers I met when I started blogging almost a decade ago. I loved his blog and we exchanged “likes” and regular followers of each other. I will miss his Godly spirit and his wisdom and encouragement he shared from Wordsmith’s Desk. Bonnie and family, my prayers are with you all. But I have to say I envy him so much today because I know he’s with Jesus and having the time of his new life.
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Bonnie and family – prayers will continue as your hearts heal. Butch was such a connector, gatherer and encourager. His words were so often just what was needed. I am so glad I could meet you both in person. Blessings and love to you.
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Bonnie and family – prayers continue as you hearts heal. Butch was such a connector, gatherer and encourager. His words were so often just what was needed. I am so glad I could meet him in person too. Blessings and love to you.
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I am so saddened by the loss of a wonderful WordPress friend—- one of the first persons to visit my blog. Enter into the joy of the Lord, Butch. The earth has lost a bright light and heaven has gained a hero of the faith. Blessings and comfort from God to Bonnie, (the teddy bears 🧸) and family. Shalom 🙏
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So sad to hear that Butch’s earthly mission has ended. As others have noted, I enjoyed his posts and wise, supportive comments. My condolences and prayers are with Butch’s wife Bonnie, his children, grandchildren, and friends. -C.D.
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What a sweet man I met through WordPress. Selfishly I will miss his wise words and God inspired writing. His comments on my posts encouraged me to keep writing.
Godspeed Butch.
Bonnie, my heartfelt condolences to you. I loved it that you two posted your blogs in succession of each other. I always imagined you both sitting near one another, writing. Each looking up from the keyboard and one would say to the other, “Are you ready to hit send”?
May God fill the void in your heart at this difficult time.
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Prayers for your family. I knew him only through posts and comments, still his love for God and people was evident. God bless and comfort you all.
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Dear Bonnie and family, may God bless you and hold you in His care through this very sad and difficult time.
Butch will be missed by many, including me. His kindness and his love for the Lord touched my heart. He now feels the pure love and mercy of Jesus. May he rest in the peace of Our Lord.
With love, Bernadette
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Butch got me into blogglng and I learned the skill of wordsmithing from him. He’ll be greatly missed by many here, but welcomed abundantly by the redeemed in Glory. To Bonnie, you have my condolences.
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I loved Butch’s posts because they were filled with wisdom and his love for the Lord. Thank you, God, for Butch and the love and joy he brought to his friends, family, and the world. Praying for you and your family Bonnie.
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My God! My prayers are with you all. I enjoyed Butch and his comments and his posts. Thank you Lord for the joy and peace he sowed in this earth.
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