DEAN CARROLL CHENOWETH

Dean Chenoweth

Dean Carroll Chenoweth, 90, of Macomb died May 9, 2025, at The Elms in Macomb.

He was born Dec. 7, 1934, in Fulton County, a son of Elzie and Vera France Chenoweth. He married Sharon Yess on Sept. 14, 1958, in Princeville. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Julie (and Steve) Terstriep and Cathy (and Steve) Onion of Industry; four grandchildren, Erik (and Ashley) Terstriep and Dr. Tayler Onion, all of Macomb, Leigh (and Scott) Bickerman of Rushville and Austin (and Melissa) Onion of Industry; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Kenneth K.C. Chenoweth.

As a young boy, he grew up near Table Grove. In February 1943, more than 120 farm families were displaced when the government took their land to build U. S. Army Camp Ellis. That prompted their move to McDonough County and Macomb.

At 16, he rented his first farm. While in school, he also participated in FFA. In 1952, he graduated from Macomb High School. He and his wife worked together for 66 years.

He lived a life of service. He was a pilot and flew with the Civil Air Patrol in the 1950s. He served with the Illinois National Guard 123rd Artillery Field Battalion and spent time training at Camp Ripley in Minnesota.

He loved history and was featured on a Camp Ellis episode of Illinois Stories. He and Sharon hired WIU ag students to work on the farm for more than 50 years.

Dean continued his service, both elected and appointed, on the McDonough County Board and the Building Committee when the new Elms was built in the later 1970s. He also served on the McDonough County Farm Bureau Board; the McDonough FS Board; and the Chalmers Township Board (as supervisor) for many years.

During the 1980s, he served on the Federal Land Credit Association (FLCA)/Farm Credit Board from 1977-99 and often said from that experience he learned a great deal about how to run his own farming operation.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home of Macomb with Kendell Litchfield officiating. Visitation will precede the services from 9:30-11 a.m. Burial will be at Industry Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Macomb High School FFA program, WIU Foundation for the Dean and Sharon Chenoweth Ag Scholarship or MDH Hospice.

Condolences may be sent to clugston-tibbitts.com.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 5/14/2025