Dean Wayne Shade, age 86, of Hastings passed away on Wednesday July 1, 2020. Dean was born on September 8, 1933 at home in Lake Odessa, to parents Wayne Harlen and Mildred Letha (Haynes) Shade as one of 11 children.
On November 11, 1954 Dean married Margaret Lois Shumaker, who preceded him in death, and they raised four children together in Hastings. Mark Wayne, David Lawrence, and “the twins” Brian Edward and Bruce Edmond. Dean lived on Michigan Avenue just around the corner from Hastings Manufacturing where he worked for about 33 years before retiring and starting another chapter in his life. Dean married Shirley Ann Birman on September 22, 1985 and began a blended family with Shirley’s children Rick Charles, Mellissa Kay and Johnny Allen Birman.
Dean attended school in Lake Odessa and visited the city often, especially for the annual tradition of the Shade Family Reunion which continued for many decades. Dean and Shirley enjoyed traveling, visiting Shipshewana, and their dog named Stella that Dean loved dearly. Dean always enjoyed a good meal and was a long-standing member of the breakfast club at McDonald’s for many years. He spent the last two years of his life at Thornapple Manor where he was well cared for by the staff.
Dean is survived by his wife Shirley; a combined group of five children; 13 grand children; 11 great grand children; two sisters Sherrie Wacha, Marceline Sisler; two sister-in-laws Pearl (Piper) Shade and Trudy (Weaver) Shade and many nieces and nephews.
Dean was proceeded in death by his parents Wayne and Mildred; nine of his siblings, Robert Hill, Frances Johnston, Gerald (Brandon) Shade, Letha Reese, Marvin Shade, Karolyn Stalter, Gene Shade, and Linda Stidham; two children, Mark and David Shade and two grandsons, Benjamin and Chad Shade.
In honor of Dean’s request, a cremation has occurred and there will be no memorial service.
Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. To leave an online condolence, visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.