Dean C. Chenoweth

Dean Carroll Chenoweth, 90, of Macomb died Friday, May 9, 2025, at The Elms in Macomb. He was born December 7, 1934, in Fulton County, Illinois, the youngest of two sons, to Elzie and Vera (France) Chenoweth. He married Sharon Yess, September 14, 1958, in Princeville, Illinois. She survives him. As a young boy, Dean grew up near Table Grove. In February 1943, more than 120 farm families were displaced when the government took their land to build U. S. Army Camp Ellis. That prompted their move to McDonough County and Macomb. At 16, Dean rented his first farm. While in school, he also participated in FFA. His FFA advisor, Burdette Graham, had a lasting effect on him. Graham focused heavily on parliamentary procedure, and Dean and his classmates won many Parliamentary Procedure contests and participated in other FFA events. In 1952, Dean graduated from Macomb High School, and in 1958, he married Sharon, his loving wife, and she worked alongside him for 66 years. Dean lived a life of service. He was a pilot and flew with the Civil Air Patrol in the 1950s. He served with the Illinois National Guard 123rd Artillery Field Battalion and spent time training at Camp Ripley in Minnesota. Dean loved history and was featured on a Camp Ellis episode of Illinois Stories. He was an avid reader and education advocate. Dean and Sharon hired WIU ag students to work on the farm for more than 50 years. Some of their hires retired before they did. Dean continued his service–both elected and appointed–on the McDonough County Board and the Building Committee when the new Elms was built in the later 1970s. He also served on the McDonough County Farm Bureau Board; the McDonough FS Board; and the Chalmers Township Board (as supervisor) for many years. During the trying times in agriculture in the 1980s, Dean served on the Federal Land Credit Association (FLCA)/Farm Credit Board from 1977-1999 and often said from that experience he learned a great deal about how to run his own farming operation. Dean was a humble man, known for his love of John Deere equipment, his high standards, giant bear claw hands, fantastic back rubs, warm and comforting smile, corny jokes (Ajax Saw Company) and magic sock rolling "tricks," and love of life. He enjoyed hunting and taught all of the grandkids how to shoot a gun. He and Sharon were also regular attendees of the WIU Summer Musical Theatre productions. He often pestered the dog until it howled, put boots on the cats, and sang "You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd," by Roger Miller. Most important to Dean was his family. He attended his daughters' and grandkids' numerous school events. His eyes lit up when the grandkids and great grandkids were around. He taught them all the value of hard work, responsibility, stewardship, and public service. His family is the greatest legacy he leaves. Survivors, besides his wife, Sharon Chenoweth, include daughters, Julie (Steve) Terstriep and Cathy (Steve) Onion of Industry; Grandchildren Erik (Ashley) Terstriep of Macomb, IL; Leigh (Scott) Bickerman of Rushville, IL; Dr. Tayler Onion of Macomb, IL; Austin (Melissa) Onion of Industry, IL. Great Grandchildren Ellis and Wesley Terstriep of Macomb, Jordan and Reagan Bickerman of Rushville, and Brooks Onion of Industry. Nieces Terra Litchfield of Macomb, IL and Lori John of Industry, IL; Great nieces and nephews Derek (Lisa) Litchfield, Brandon (Sydney) John, Hayley (Mike) Dobson, and Kristin (Scott) Terry. Nieces Gayle Fisher and Gwen Yess Lea; nephews Gary (Beth) Yess, Greg (Kari) Yess; and Lacey Yess and their families. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Elzie and Vera (France) Chenoweth; a brother, Kenneth K.C. Chenoweth; inlaws John and Jessie Yess, brother-in law Jerry Yess and his wife Betty Yess; and nephews-in-law Randy Litchfield and Greg John, nephew Garth Yess; and former sister-in-law Juanita Huff. The family wishes to offer special thanks to the staff of The Elms in Macomb and MDH Hospice who took wonderful care of Dean and our family. Services will be held Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home of Macomb with Kendell Litchfield officiating. Visitation will be precede the services from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Burial will be at Industry Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Macomb High School FFA program, WIU Foundation for the Dean and Sharon Chenoweth Ag Scholarship or MDH Hospice. Clugston -Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb is in charge of arrangements. You may leave condolences and sign the guest book online at clugston-tibbitts.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dean C. Chenoweth, please visit our floral store.