Thomas A. "Tom" Dean

Thomas A. “Tom” Dean, age 93, of Dover, passed away Tuesday, February 13, 2024, in Dover’s Park Village Health Care Center.

Born December 11, 1930, in Guernsey County, he was a son of the late Thomas A. and Ona Smith Dean. Tom attended school in Guernsey County’s Madison Township, and later, on July 12, 1950, married the love of his life, Annabelle Gibbs. The couple raised two children and shared nearly 66 years of marriage prior to Annabelle’s passing on May 3, 2016. Tom was employed by the City of  Dover Fire Department for 27 years, retiring in 1983 as a mechanic. Until his death, he held the distinction of being the oldest living retired firefighter in Tuscarawas County.

Tom was a faithful member of the Dover Alliance Church, where he served as Sunday school teacher, elder, president of the church board, and was very active in mission work. He liked going camping and was a founding member of the Tusco Traveliers. Additionally, he belonged to the Airstream Club and served as president of the group’s Akron chapter. Tom enjoyed woodworking, and, when the opportunity presented itself, buying and fixing up houses. Later in life, he took up the hobby of model trains, collecting many different pieces and building elaborate sets, all of which he loved showing off to family and friends.

He is survived by his children, Betty (Greg) Weigand of Dover, and Richard (Carol) Dean of New Philadelphia; his grandchildren, Michael Weigand and Brooke Dean; his great-granddaughter, Ella Dean; his half-brother and half-sisters, Rod Dean, Shirley Dean, Ruby Quillen, Diane Hayes and Arlene Daugherty; and his nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, and his beloved wife, Annabelle, Tom was preceded in death by two sisters, one brother, two half-sisters and one half-brother.

Family and friends may call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Monday, February 19, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 1:30, officiated by Pastor Richard G. Rose. Burial will be in Dover Burial Park.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests that contributions in Tom’s memory be made to Crossroads Hospice, 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr., Ste. E, Uniontown, Ohio 44685; Dover Alliance Church, 228 E. Third St., Dover, Ohio 44622; or the charity of the donor’s choice.