Dean Richard Zehr, 82, of Washington Illinois went home to the Lord Wednesday, November 5, 2014. He was born February 24, 1932 in Foosland, IL to Rev Harold and Alma (Unzicker) Zehr. He married Kathleen Imhoff in 1958, who preceeded him in death in 2008. He is survived by his children Debra ( Dave) Frohberg, West Lafayette, IN, , Rita (Dave) Kirkwood, Bloomington, IL, Stan (Julie) Zehr, Eureka, IL Curt(Sue) Zehr, Washington, IL, 12 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Lila (Ron) King, Rachel Zehr, Alan (Carol) Zehr, Hazel Yoder, John Zehr, and W. Jay Zehr. One sister, onebrother in law, and two sisters in law preceded him in death. Faith, family, and farming were the cornerstones of Dean?s life. As a young adult, he served with Mennonite Central Committee in Europe helping WWII refugees rebuild their lives. His "PAX buddies" became lifelong friends who he and Kathy cherished. He was an active member of Metamora Mennonite Church where he served in a variety of ways including elder and Sunday school teacher. Dean?s family was also a very important aspect in his life. He supported and encouraged his children in their many different activities and enjoyed going to various grandchildren?s activities. Whether it was giving grandchildren rides on his combine, having cousins come spend a week on the farm, going on vacations with siblings, or going to the "Zehr Family Reunion", Dean loved being with his family. Dean grew up on a grain and livestock farm and raised Duroc hogs as a boy. After returning from Europe and marrying Kathy, he started grain farming with Kathy?s father Glenwood Imhoff and raising Duroc swine again. This developed into selling swine across the U.S. and to foreign countries, and making many lifelong friends in the pork industry. He was given the Illinois Master Swine Seedstock Producer Award and the Land of Lincoln Breeders Award for exhibiting swine at the Illinois State Fair for over 50 years. Dean was a member of the Illinois Farm Bureau, the Illinois Pork Producers Association, and the National Duroc Swine Registry. He served as president of the Woodford County Pork Producers, Illinois Duroc Breeders Association, and secretary of the Illinois Purebred Swine Council. He also served on the Pleasant View Grade School Board and the Pleasant View Fire and Park District boards. Funeral services for Dean will be held on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Metamora Mennonite Church with burial following in Hickory Point Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church and from noon Saturday until time of service. Mason-White Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Dean may be directed to either the church or Mennonite Central Committee. Online condolences to the family may be made at masonfuneralhomes.com