Laura Marie "Spelman" Dean

With a spirit as bright as the rising sun, Laura Marie (Spelman) Dean flew away to her eternal home on the morning of October 27th 2025 , she was 85. Laura was born to Hayes and Florence Spelman on the 21st of February 1940, in Warren Ohio. The youngest of five children, Laura loved her big brothers Gordon, Chuck, and Bob with all her heart. She idolized her big sister Ruth and they grew up not just sisters but best friends. As a young girl, she called many places home. Laura swam in the warm gulf waters of Galveston Texas, learned songs and played games in Stuttgart Germany, and chased fireflies on humid North Carolina summer nights. In her youth she returned to Ohio and she would call it home for the rest of her days. She met the love of her life, Harvey Dean, as a teen. She once said the first time she saw him she knew she would marry him and on October 22nd 1955, she did just that. Laura and Harvey raised their six children Greg, Bart, Bret, Lenett , Brian and Martha on their farm in Newton Falls Ohio. Laura was so very proud of each of her children and the adults that they grew up to be. She loved their spouses as if they were her own and was ever grateful for the love and care they showed her. In June 1977, Laura took on a new title, Grandma. "Grandma Dean" , "Mammaw" "Nana" and "GG" loved her grandchildren with all her heart, and they with all of theirs. Her home and her arms were always open. She encouraged them to follow their dreams and trust in their hearts , even if it took them far away from her. Laura loved to crochet and her favorite thing to make was blankets for her grandchildren. They take comfort in knowing that as their hearts ache for her, they can wrap themselves in those blankets and still feel her loving arms around them. Family was everything to Laura and her best days were spent with them gathered around, whether it was big family holidays, packed into a church pew on Sunday, or simply taking a walk around the pond. She loved to sit with her siblings around the kitchen table and tell stories, sometimes laughing till she cried. Laura lived a life rooted in faith, devoted to Christ, and guided by the teachings of the Holy Bible which she read daily. She shared her love and grace of God with her family, friends and community. Laura is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years Harvey Dean, son Gregory Dean, brothers Charles "Chuck" and Gordon Spelman, and great grandson Samuel Dean. Her memory will be cherished by her daughter in love Vicky Dean (Gregory); sons Bart Dean (Beverly), Bret Dean, Brian Dean (Fran), Billy Dean; Daughters Lenett Szczurek (David) and Martha Duncan (Dave); sister Ruth Morton and brother Robert " Bob" Spelman (Beverly); Nephew Curt Dean; 22 Grandchildren, 38 Great Grandchildren, and 1 Great Great Grandchild. Graveside services will be held at 4 pm on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Hawley Cemetery in Paris Twp. Arrangements have been entrusted to the James Funeral Home, 8 East Broad Street, Newton Falls, OH 44444 (330)872-5440. Family and friends may view Laura's obituary online or to send condolences, please visit us at www.jamesfuneralhomeinc.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Laura Marie (Spelman) Dean, please visit our floral store.