Dean Schwartz

Dean Joseph Schwartz, of Waco, died peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at the age of 89. A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, June 4, 2011 at Central Presbyterian Church, 9191 Woodway Drive, Waco 76712. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Wellman, Iowa.

Dean was born July 8, 1921 near Wellman, Iowa, the son of Frank and Ida A. Wetrich Schwartz. He graduated from Wellman High School and united in marriage to Bettye Turnipseed August 9, 1941 in Anamosa, Iowa. They farmed for several years before moving into Wellman in 1952, where Dean opened a Sinclair gas station. Dean and Bettye helped organize the first Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops in Wellman and the first Red Cross swimming and lifesaving lessons in the area. He was a member of the organizing board of the Wellman Coop Telephone Association and active in the Masonic Lodge. In the late 50's, he sold the gas station and took a job in the Iowa turkey industry, which resulted in a move to Waco in 1969 to work for Plantation Foods. He was production manager over 8 farms and lived near Gatesville. After retiring, Dean and Bettye moved to Waco where he continued his lifelong interest in gardening and became active in the Central Presbyterian Church and Harrison Senior Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Erma Rugg, Sylvia McCrabb and Mildred Dozzi.

Dean is survived by his wife, Bettye of Waco; daughters, Ronna Robertson and husband, Don of Manhattan, Kansas and Susan Keyser and husband, Joe of Buena Vista, Colorado; sons, Joel Schwartz of Gatesville and Jeff Schwartz and wife, Diane of Joshua; five grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; nieces, Diane Tonnesen and Denise Morris and Fred Schwarz.

In lieu of floral arrangements, the family requests memorial donations to your favorite charity.