Emily Florence Dean, 87, of Dillsboro, IN, quietly passed away with family by her side at The Waters of Dillsboro on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
She was born December 16, 1935, in Lawrenceburg, IN, daughter of the late Clayton John Benning and Elmira Marie (Balsley) Benning.
Emily was a devoted Christian, she was a member of the First Evangelical United Church of Christ as well as the Ludlow Hill Baptist Church. Emily was a member of the Dillsboro American Legion Auxiliary Post #292.
Emily enjoyed watching Hallmark and Lifetime movies. In her younger years she was an avid reader, especially of the Danielle Steel books, she even managed to get her sister Eljean hooked on her books as well. Emily took great pride in her home. She enjoyed and was quite good at sewing and cooking with her specialty being meatloaf. Bill was a hunter and fisherman and Emily had the ability to cook any wild game that he brought home. Emily and Bill were also quite good dancers, even winning a few jitterbug events. Emily often said it had a lot to do with Bill’s lead and being soft on his feet. Emily was a member of the church choirs, and her beautiful soprano voice could often be heard by family and friends as she cooked or was even doing laundry. Emily was always well put together and liked looking her best. She even had to change her shoes to match her purse on the way out the door to the ER.
Emily’s greatest joy in life was her family. Her eyes would light up and arms would open for a hug anytime someone stopped to see her. A kiss and an “I love you” was her send off.
Emily will be missed by her children, Lisa (Wayne) Downey of Dillsboro, IN, Tim (Hope) Gilb of DeBary, FL; grandchildren, Chris (Jill) Downey, Leslie (Devin) Rump, Timothy and Levi Gilb; great-grandchildren, Rylee and Weston Downey, Austin and Hailey Rump, Timmy Gilb, Chelby Gilb, Hannah Gilb, Allissa Gilb, Bella Gilb, Ricky and Dominic; her first great, great-grandchild is due in September; brother, Wayne Benning of Aurora, IN; step children (of Marvin Dean); and several loving nieces and nephews.
Emily was preceded in death by her parents Clayton John and Elmira Marie; loving husbands, Bill Gilb, and Marvin Dean; siblings, Clayton, Donald, Eljean and David.
Graveside services will begin at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Rullman Hunger Funeral, 219 Mechanic Street, Aurora, Indiana. We will celebrate Emily with a processional to Greendale Cemetery were a graveside service will take place.
At the conclusion of the graveside you are invited to continue celebrating Emily’s life with one of her favorite activities, enjoying a meal with family and friends. This will take place at the Dillsboro American Legion Post 292.
Contributions may be made to the American Kidney Foundation, American Heart Association or the Dillsboro American Legion Auxiliary Post #292.
Visit: www.rullmans.com