Published on March 12, 2026 3:42 pm
Last Updated on March 12, 2026 3:42 pm
Dean P. Marsland, 96, of Windsor, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026, at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon, Illinois.
He was born on August 2, 1929, in Sherwood, North Dakota, the son of Thomas Henry and Carrie Bell (Pierce) Marsland. After high school, Dean proudly served in the United States Navy on the heavy cruiser, Columbus. Upon returning home, Dean ran the family Texaco station and bulk oil plant. He met Emily Gepford, a new teacher in Sherwood, and they married on December 24, 1955, in Minot, North Dakota. They later moved their young family to Emily’s hometown of Mattoon, Illinois, where he worked for Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company. They finally settled in Windsor, Illinois. Dean and Emily were blessed with 63 years of marriage, filled with love, laughter, and countless cherished memories. Emily’s passing in 2019 marked the end of an era, but the legacy of their love endured in the family they built together. Dean loved his family. They often spent weekends and vacations camping and boating. He spent countless hours pulling waterskiing children and grandchildren on Lake Shelbyville. He hung swings, built a treehouse, and pulled children around the yard with his John Deere mower. He and Emily made annual trips back to North Dakota for family reunions, and Christmas in St. Petersburg, Florida. They visited family members all over the country.
Dean is survived by his daughter, Terrie Hudson of Windsor; his beloved grandchildren, Angela (Michael) Vonderohe, Jennifer (Ryan) Reynolds, Jill Hudson, Allison (Garrett) Vasquez, Marsha
(Zach) Friedrich, Clay (Paige Myers) Marsland, and Dakota Marsland; his great-grandchildren, Alex, Steven, Jacob, Nathan, Emilia, and Margot, his sister, Sharon DesLauriers, and a multitude
of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his much-loved cat, Miss Kitty.
Dean was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Emily, his son Jerry, and his brothers, Bob and Dale.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Lovins-Lockart Funeral Home in Windsor with Reverend Richard Eident officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow in Windsor Cemetery. Memorials in Dean’s honor may be made to the Windsor Harvest Picnic and may be mailed to Lovins-Lockart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 52, Windsor, IL 61957.
Family and friends are invited to light a candle or share a story at www.lockartgreenfuneralhome.com.