Official Obituary of
Dean A. Marcellus
February 4, 1944 ~ March 1, 2024 (age 80)
Dean Marcellus Obituary
Dean Anthony Marcellus, beloved husband, devoted father and stepfather, cherished grandfather and brother, entered his eternal rest on March 1, 2024 at Symphony Northwoods in Belvidere, IL. Born on February 4, 1944 in Louisville, KY to Augusta Marie (Stichweh) and Lawrence Keith Marcellus, Dean and his family moved to Belvidere when he was 10 years old. He attended St. James Catholic School, then Belvidere High School, before going to the University of Notre Dame, where he studied Spanish and Russian and graduated magna cum laude.
After earning his bachelor’s degree, Dean served his country honorably in Vietnam as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon completing his tour of duty and returning home, he helped his father with the family business, Marcellus Industries, eventually running the business for several decades. Dean married the love of his life, Laura, on June 9, 1984 in Notre Dame, IN.
A lifelong and devout Catholic, Dean was an active member of St. James Parish, attending daily Mass and participating in the ministry to those who are homebound for decades. He also enjoyed serving as a lector, teaching religious education, and volunteering with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Dean was highly civic-minded and involved in the affairs of the Belvidere community.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents, children Galen Lawrence Marcellus, Kathleen Joanne Ward and Michael Andrew (“Andy”) Ward, brother Dale A. Marcellus, sister Dolores A. Moss, brother-in-law Thomas R. Moss, nephew Patrick Moss, grandson Lil’ David Ward, and great-grandson River. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 40 years Laura Marcellus, devoted children John Ward and Lindsay Marcellus (John Chin), daughter-in-law Laura Ward, sister Darcie (Michael) Chamberlain, grandchildren Joseph, Jeremy, and Geordi Marcellus Chin, Jennifer (Paul) Meyer, and Kathleen and Joshua Ward, and great-grandchildren Daniel and Natallia. He is also loved and missed by his cousin Carol (Jim) Godsey, his host daughter Ericka Abreu, his sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, and friends.
Dean’s warmth, compassion, trustworthiness, playful spirit, steadfast faith, and willingness to serve others touched the lives of many in his community. He was gentle with both people and animals - always ready with a “kind word and a smile.” While he often lightened a situation with his sense of humor, he did not shy away from difficulty, and is remembered by many for listening to and accompanying them during painful experiences. He lived with integrity and in accordance with his faith and had a profound trust in divine providence.
He took delight in his children and grandchildren, and his passion for education, tendency to look “outside the box,” commitment to life-long learning, love of languages (and wordplay), willingness to stand up for what was right despite the cost, and dedication to those around him will live on in the hearts of those who love him.
A funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at St. James Catholic Church, 402 Church St., Belvidere, IL 61008. Interment of his ashes will follow at Highland Garden of Memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. The family would like to thank Symphony Northwoods and Heartland Hospice for maintaining his comfort during these last several months.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dean A. Marcellus, please visit our floral store.
Services
MEMORIAL MASS
Saturday
March 9, 2024
12:00 PM
St. James Catholic Church
402 Church Street
Belvidere, IL 61008
