David Dean Hesler

   David Dean Hesler, 88 of Danville, left us peacefully on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Colonial Manor in Danville. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 23, 2021 from 4-7pm at Kruger Coan Pape Funeral Home, 10 E. Williams Street in Danville, with Masonic Rites by Further Light Lodge 1130 at 7:30pm. Funeral Services will be on Friday, September 24th at 1pm at the funeral home with Mason Sean McBride officiating. Following services Dean will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park.

   Dean was born on December 23, 1932 in Veedersburg, Indiana to Ernest and Dottie (Boord) Hesler. He attended Sterling Grade School and Veedersburg High School, graduating in 1950. On January 16, 1954 Dean married the love of his life, Norma Jean  “Dodgie” Wakeland, and the two shared over sixty-seven years together before she passed in May of this year. After graduating, Dean went on to enlist in the National Guard where he served as Captain until 1963. Dean worked at Bohn Aluminum from 1959 until 1963 as a Product Control Supervisor, as well as The Fischer Theatre and The Palace as a manager at the same time. In 1963 Dean contracted encephalitis and became disabled and in a wheelchair. Norma became his sole caretaker for the next fifty plus years.

   Dean was a member of Further Light Lodge #1130, and also Past Master in 1992. He was also a member of AASR. He and Norma were very involved in Vermilion Heights Methodist Church. Dean was dedicated to Masonry and also enjoyed reading, playing poker, and traveling to 47 of the 50 states with Norma. The two enjoyed snow-birding to Florida every winter for several years, and riding their three-wheel bike. During his time at Colonial Manor, Dean could be found playing BINGO and giving away his prizes to all the ladies.

   He leaves behind three children: Rita Dalbey, Brad Hesler (Laura Hill), Cheryl Winland (Terry Gobble); seven grandchildren: Jacob, Jami, Rachel, Adam, Erin, Jerrad, and Allie; and great-grandchildren: Mackenzie, Mikaila, Benjamin, Christopher, Avery, Ethan, Alex, Elyse, and Rose. His favorite niece Karen Gummere and good friend and neighbor Jamie Eller, who always looked in on Dean and Norma, will also miss him greatly. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Norma, son Greg, grandson Justin Howard, and sister Ethlyn Shade.

   Messages and memories may be left on our website at www.KrugerCoanPape.com, or on the Kruger-Coan-Pape Funeral Home Facebook page. Memorials may be made in Dean’s name to The Danville Dyslexia Center.

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