Dean McCollum SEPTEMBER 9, 1927 ~ APRIL 23, 2018 (AGE 90)

Richard Dean McCollum, age 90, of New Boston, Mo passed away peacefully at his home on April 23rd, 2018.

He was born September 9, 1927 near New Boston, the son of T.R. McCollum and Naomi (Davis) McCollum.

While a junior at Green City High School he enlisted in the Navy, serving a year until the war ended. He then returned to school finishing his senior year in 1947.

On June 3, 1950 he married Phyllis Brantner at the First Baptist Church of Winigan and she survives. They lived on the family farm for 28 years raising black cattle, white hogs, and sheep. Around 1980 they purchased a small farm South of New Boston where they now make their home. Dean was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Winigan where he served as deacon and also leader of the Christian group of boys called Royal Ambassadors. He not only took them on camping trips but tried to lead them to become Christian men.

Other survivors include: two sons, Mark McCollum and Jill Jenkins of Linwood, KS, Don Paul McCollum and wife Joanne of Lee’s Summit, MO, one daughter, Dena Beth Overpeck and husband Dan of Bloomingdale, Ind, Four granddaughters and two step granddaughters: Shandra Roberts and husband Eric, Krista Allen and husband Kirt, Alex MacDonnell and husband Nick, Kylie McCollum, Shelby and Aubry Smith, Three grandsons, Joshua Overpeck, Adam Overpeck and wife Kaitlyn, and Hunter McCollum, and they also have six great grandsons. Also surviving, one brother, Neal McCollum, one sister-in-law, Melba Belzer, a brother-in-law, Ron Brantner and wife Evelyn, and several nieces and nephews.

Dean enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. The best part for him was sharing his produce with friends and neighbors. He also spent many happy hours hunting Indian arrowheads in the creeks and hills around the area.

He loved his church family and community, both Winigan and New Boston, and will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services for Dean will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the First Baptist Church in Winigan. Burial will follow at the Price Cemetery, South of Winigan. A visitation is scheduled for one hour prior to the service, starting at 9:30 AM, at the church. Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Green City is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Winigan or the Winigan Community Center to go towards trees for Winigan.