Joyce Lillian Dean

Joyce L Dean, 94 years old of Wichita, KS passed away February 21, 2026.

Joyce had a very long and successful career in the aviation industry. She worked for many years at Wichita's large aviation corporations, as well as smaller aviation support businesses until she retired from Raytheon Aircraft Wichita in April 1999. It is not a surprise that she made this industry her occupation for many years. Her father relocated to Boeing Wichita from Buffalo, New York in the 1950's. Joyce and her small family followed them to Wichita.

Joyce loved her family above everything else. There is not a member of her family that does not have fond memories of holidays, birthdays, camping trips, bar-b-ques, swim parties, Sunday dinners or any other reason she thought the family should get together. She loved to be with family for a celebration of any kind. If she was with her family and friends, it always felt like a celebration to her. With every visit, you would be greeted with a smile and glimmer of excitement in her eyes. It was pure joy for her to have visits from her family.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband, Noble Dean Jr, daughter, Carole Dvorak, parents George Sr and Ruth Newton, her brother, George Newton Jr, her sister Carole Rowe, son-in-law Jay Jones.

Surviving Joyce are five of her six children, Pam Jones, Mary (Kirc) Harris, Michael (Lavina) Ostrander, Janice Bedell and George (Darwin) Nelson. Also surviving Joyce are 12 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. She loved each and every one beyond measure.

Our family has decided together that there will be a private family graveside service only. Joyce's committal service will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Wichita, KS where she will rest with her parents and her brother.

In lieu of flowers, our family believes Joyce would want donations to her memory to be sent to a charity that is close to your heart.