DEAN A. PUNKE, 52 years of Decatur, Nebraska, formerly of Verona, Illinois and later of Angel City, Philippines, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at his daughter’s home in Decatur.

Dean was born April 13, 1957, in Morris, Illinois to Dale E. and Mary E. (Lee) Punke. He attended grade school in Verona and graduated from Mazon High School in Mazon, Illinois.

Following high school, he spent 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corp as a Military Policeman, MP. Following his discharge he was a security guard and then bartender in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In 1981, Dean married Laura Sparks in Paris’s Island, South Carolina. They had three children, Betsy, Ryan and Justin.

In 2003, Dean moved to Angel City, Philippines, where he resided until he was diagnosed with cancer. He was brought back to the United States on September 4, 2009. Dean’s last days consisted of him being reunited with his children and grandchildren, and with his Lord, which gave him peace in his heart.

Survivors include his daughter, Betsy (Scott) Coates of Decatur; sons, Ryan (Kayla) Punke of Lyons, Nebraska, Justin (Kylea) Punke of Walthill, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Paige, Chloe and Tristen Coates of Decatur, Tabitha Punke of Lyons; mother of his children and former wife, Laura Sparks; parents, Dale and Mary Punke of Mazon, Illinois; sister, Diane Punke of Mazon; brothers, Darryl (Debbie) Punke, Dennis (Mary) Punke all of Mazon, Doug Punke of Morris, Illinois; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, October, 3, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah, Nebraska.

VISITATION:  Friday 6 – 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends and a 7:00 Prayer Service at Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah. Visitation Saturday will be held at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

INTERMENT:  Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur, Nebraska with Military Honors VFW Gleason-Rogers Post No. 6926 and American Legion Rogers-Crum Post No. 215

MEMORIALS:  To the Family

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

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