Deane “Dean” Richard Gillespie Jr., age 66, of Cedarville, Michigan, died at his home on February 8, 2024. He was born on July 1, 1957, in St. Ignace, Michigan, to Deane R. Sr., and Dorothy A. (Perault) Gillespie.
Dean was a great, kind, and generous friend. As one of his friends wrote on Facebook, “He was nicer than your grandma and tougher than your grandpa.” Dean loved a good joke and was a hard worker. He held many jobs in his lifetime, working as a bartender, taxi driver, and horse buggy dispatcher. He was accomplished at all his jobs and also enjoyed playing and watching sports. His favorite teams were the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers. Dean was an avid golf player with one heck of a swing.
Dean is survived by his daughter, Meredith J. Lehmen of Dubuque, Iowa; grandchildren, Vash David Lehmen, and Marceline Lerreyne Lehman; sisters, Florence E. Gillespie-Cardinal of Hessel, Michigan, and Laurel L. (Reginald) Gough of St. Ignace; brother, James E. Gillespie of Hessel; brother-in-law, Jack E. Dehring of Mackinac Island, Michigan; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Deane and Dorothy; and sister, Dorothy A. Dehring.
Final Resting Place will be at the Mackinac Island Protestant Cemetery on Mackinac Island.
He will be dearly and greatly missed by his family and friends.
Family Life Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
