Dean W. Urfer

Dean Wesley Urfer, 81, of Tower Hill, IL, passed away at 6:25 p.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Pana Community Hospital, Pana, IL.

A graveside service with military rites will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL, with Pastor Archie Fox officiating. Friends and family are invited to gather for a visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL, before going in procession to the cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.

Dean was born on December 11, 1943, in Shelbyville, IL, the son of Virgil Amos and Pauline Penelope (Tucker) Urfer. He graduated from Tower Hill High School in the Class of 1962. Dean went on to serve his country in the United States Army. He married Fanny L. Spracklen on July 13, 1968, in Tower Hill, IL. Dean worked in the maintenance department at the Vandalia Correctional Center for many years. He also took great pride in owning and operating his own lawn care business in the Tower Hill area. Dean was a member of the Tower Hill Free Methodist Church and enjoyed watching crime shows and spending hours and hours in his garage fixing lawn mowers and working on small engines.

Dean is survived by his grandson, River Stephens (Callie Bullion) of Navarre, FL; granddaughter, Aerielle Stephens of Tower Hill, IL; great grandson, Dawson Mars; brother-in-law, George Spracklen and wife Pat of St. Peters, MO; sister-in-law, Donna Spracklen of Rantoul, IL; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Fanny, on September 29, 2022; two daughters, Angela Stewardson and Danielle Urfer; and three brothers, Athur Urfer, Alan Urfer and Robert Urfer.