Stecker, Harold Dean

Harold Dean Stecker, 94, of Mount Pleasant, formerly of rural Hillsboro, died at 10:55 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, at Sunnybrook Ashford Park, Mount Pleasant.

He was born March 29, 1918, in Yates City, Ill., to John and Nellie Meyer Stecker, and married Dorothy F. Elliott on Feb. 22, 1947, in Keosauqua. She died May 4, 1986. He married Fern Thornburg in 1988. She preceded him in death in May 2009.

Dean grew up in and spent his entire life farming in Harrisburg Township of Van Buren County until retiring to Mount Pleasant. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was a member of the Harrisburg Baptist Church, Van Buren County Farm Bureau, American Legion and was an active member of the Christian Motorcycle Association. He enjoyed flying and obtained his pilot's license.

Surviving are a daughter, Sandra Batten (Bob) of rural Hillsboro; two sons, Ronald Stecker (Brenda) of Marion and Keith Stecker (Lori) of Williamsburg; a stepdaughter, Rosanna Grinstead (Roger) of Ohio; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Neva Carter of Stockport and Irma Elliott of Bonaparte; and a brother, Gilbert Stecker (Merial) of Keosauqua.

In addition to his wives, he was preceded by his parents; a brother, Lester Stecker; and a sister, Rhea Brombaugh.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, at the Harrisburg Baptist Church, north of Bonaparte. Burial, with military rites by Sargeant-Osweiler American Legion Post 563, Bonaparte, will be in Vale Cemetery. Visitation will open at 2 p.m. Monday at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua, with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m.

Memorials to Harrisburg Baptist Church or Vale Cemetery may be left at the funeral home, the church, or mailed to the family at 17192 Willow Ave., Hillsboro, IA 52630.

Published Jan. 13, 2013 in The Gazette