Dean Hunter Humphreys

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POLO – Dean Hunter Humphreys, 98, of Polo, passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018 at the Polo Rehabilitation & Health Care Center. Dean was born Jan. 20, 1920 in Limestone, Washington Co., Tenn., to George and Oma (Phillips) Humphreys. 

He was a graduate of the Conklin school. At the age of 18, he moved to Polo and became a grain farmer and fed cattle and hogs until retirement. He married Ruth Joyce Hambley, March 25, 1944 in Dixon, by Rev. William Thompson at the Church of the Brethren parsonage.  They celebrated 68 years together.

He was a member of the Polo Church of the Brethren; Ogle County Farm Bureau for over 50 years and was a dealer for Crow’s Hybrid Corn Company. He enjoyed farming, gardening, fishing, hunting, traveling and spending time with family and friends. “Gramps” loved to share the fruits of his labor, especially his roses and vegetables.  He was a faithful steward of the land his entire life.

Dean is survived by his children: Richard (Carla) Humphreys and Donna Peugh of Polo; Doris Smith of Dixon; and Ronald (Rosa) Humphreys of Amboy; grandchildren: Diane (Jeffrey) Marsh of Freeport; Daniel (Sarah) Humphreys of Powder Springs, Ga.; Douglas (Terra) Drexler of Polo; Carrie (Joshua) Ickes of Paw Paw; Heather (Douglass) Paxton of Alton and Clint (Allison) Humphreys of Yorkville and five step-grandchildren; great-grandchildren: Dawson and Zachary Drexler, Chase and Jack Humphreys, Raegan Ickes, Ainsley, Beckham and Anistyn Humphreys and seven step great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one niece, Rachel (Mike) Jones of Oregon and their family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruth on June 30, 2012; granddaughter, Wendy Smith; sister and brother-in-law, Grace and Francis Oltmanns, and niece, Cheryl Oltmanns.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Polo Rehabilitation & Health Care Center for the care and friendship given to “Dean-o” and his family and the staff at Unity Hospice for their compassionate care.

As requested there will be no services. Private burial in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Dixon. Arrangements were completed by Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Dixon.