Dean E. Wright , age 78 of Stockton, IL passed away at home on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on November 14, 1939 in Stockton to the late Wilbur and Genevieve (Morgan) Wright. Dean was a 1957 graduate of Stockton High School where he set the state scoring record in football. He married Ruth Dittmar on September 25, 1960.

Dean was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Stockton. He retired from Atwood Manufacturing after 31 years. He also farmed, drove truck for Wright-Away Trucking with his sons, was a Lions Club member for 40+ years and enjoyed cooking chicken in the Stockton Township Memorial Park each 4 ^th of July. Dean was an avid Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. He enjoyed video poker, euchre, scratch off tickets, logging with his step-dad, Warren, ice fishing, fast pitch softball and a good cigar. He truly enjoyed his family, which included watching his five sons play football in his footsteps, and three of his sons racing motocross.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ruth of Stockton; his sons, Tom (Lorie) of Stockton, Russell (Kristin) of Lexington, SC, Mark (Marcie) of Geneva, IL, Troy (Kris) of Dubuque, IA; his daughters, who were his amazing caregivers, Kim (Bill) Heid of Thomson and Paula (Jason) Haas of Stockton; his 27 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, son Jim, infant brother, 2 grandsons and a great grandson.