Terry M. Dean

Terry M. Dean, 71, of Auburn, Indiana, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on Nov. 1, 1953, in Auburn, Indiana, to Howard D. and Bertha E. (Reeb) Dean. Terry graduated from DeKalb High School in 1971, earned a degree in Industrial Management from Ball State University in 1976, and later obtained a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Francis. He married his high school sweetheart, Diane S. Kutzner, on March 1, 1975, in Auburn. Terry served as Director of Manufacturing and Operations at Auburn Gear for 25 years. He later joined Hendrickson in Kendallville, where he worked as Director of Human Resources for 15 years, before retiring in 2015. Terry was a founding member of the Jr. Lady Baron Youth Basketball Program. Terry loved spending time at the lake and had a lifelong passion for cars. He was an avid reader of non-fiction books, especially those about World War II, and was a devoted Chicago Bears fan. He deeply cherished his golden retrievers and never missed an opportunity to support his children and grandchildren at their sporting events and various activities. Above all, he treasured time spent with his family. Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Diane S. Dean, of Auburn; four children, Mandy (Aaron) Blackwell, of Madison, Mississippi, Megan (Doug) Smith, of Leo, Mallory Dean, of Fort Wayne and Trace (Kelsey) Dean, of Waterloo; five grandchildren, Harper Smith, Dawson Smith, Maddy Dean, Cooper Dean, Mitchell Dean and new addition Lucas Dean, who will be arriving in November; four step-grandchildren, Hayden, Raygan, Everlee and Lake; sister, Shirley A. Rhody, of Hobart; father-in-law, Richard (Patty) Kutzner, of Auburn; brother-in-law, Dennis (Carol) Kutzner, of Fort Wayne; nephews, Jeffrey Rhody and Jeremy Dean; and nieces, Julie Rhody, Krissy Reese and Karla Salyer. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Howard N. Dean and Marty EL. Dean; mother-in-law, Jo Ann Kutzner; and a brother-in-law, Moe Rhody. Services will be held at 5 p.m., on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center St., Auburn, with nephew, Jeff Rhody officiating. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m., on Friday, July 18, 2025, prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials donations may be made to the Terry Dean Memorial Scholarship that will be awarded to a DeKalb High School academic student athlete. This scholarship will be in the care of Community Foundation of DeKalb County. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Terry M. Dean, please visit our floral store.