SHELLSBURG:  Dean Boyer, 81, died Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton following an extended illness.

     Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton with Rev. Mark Leckband officiating.  Interment will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Shellsburg with Graveside Military Rites conducted by the Ray & Virginia Boyer American Legion Post #166 of Shellsburg.  Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. 6th St. in Vinton, from 4 to 7 PM on Tuesday.  A memorial fund has been established.

     Born December 6, 1927 to Rad Coover and Rilda Mae (Hutson) Boyer, he was baptized Kenneth Dean Boyer, but was always known as "Dean".  He graduated from Shellsburg High School in 1945.   From 1946 to 1947, he served his nation in the US Army.

     On March 3, 1950 he was united in marriage to Doris Schminke at Zion Lutheran Church in Shellsburg.   Dean farmed near Shellsburg prior to his retirement.  He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Shellsburg.

     He is survived by his wife, Doris of Shellsburg; his sons, Ron (Barbara) Boyer of Brandon, and Russ (Lisa) Boyer of Iowa City; one daughter, Reyne (Kevin) Hartkemeyer of Spencer; his grandchildren Katina White, Martin Boyer, Ethan Hartkemeyer, and Landen, Ciara, Myriah, and Keasten Boyer; his step-grandson, Jeremy Larsen; four great grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and one step-great-great grandson.

      He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Wayne, Ray, Merle and Guy Boyer; his sisters, Ione Wilt and Arlene Fish; one grandson and one granddaughter.