Freddie Dean Wille, 69, of Middletown, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at his home.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1, at Myers Funeral Home in Middletown with Scott Lemasters officiating. Burial will follow in Fairmount Cemetery in Middletown.
Visitation is from 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on April 30 at Myers Funeral Home in Middletown.
Pallbearers will be Paul Hill, Derek Cochran, Eric Franklin, Kole Franklin, Brandon Whiteaker and Terry Pritchett. Honorary Pallbearers will be Robert Woodson, Bob Rottman, Richard Penn and Debbie Featherston.
Dean was born on April 24, 1955, in Mexico (Audrain County), the son of Fred and Helen (Hill) Wille. On October 19, 1991, at the Middletown Methodist Church, he married the love of his life, Laura Leverett.
Mr. Wille was a lifelong farmer. He was a pork producer and raised Registered Yorkshire Stock. He showed his stock all over the U.S. in pig shows. Dean worked for Home Depot in Mexico.
Dean was a member of the Middletown Lions Club and Middletown Community Center. He was baptized at the Middletown Methodist Church.
Mr. Wille enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing. Since age 16, he spent every opening day of trout season in Bennett Springs. He loved to cook and was a collector of junk. Dean also enjoyed playing washers and ran the washer tournament at the Middletown Picnic for 25-plus years.
Dean was a very kind soul. He cared for everybody and never spoke an ill word about anyone. Dean loved spending time with his family. He found this time to be very uplifting and joyous.
Survivors include his wife, Laura Wille of the home; two daughters, Heather Eckler and fiancé Eric Franklin of Mason City, Iowa, and Kassy (husband Brandon) Whiteaker of Middletown; one son, Ben Eckler of Bowling Green; two grandsons, Kole Franklin and Ellis Eckler; three granddaughters, Carrissa Eckler, Delci Eckler and Amelia Vivian Whiteaker; lifelong friend, Paul Hill of Bowling Green; and one sister, Shirly Sproull of O’Fallon.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial donations may be made to Fairmount Cemetery. They may be sent in care of Myers Funeral Home, 203 E. Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384.
Online condolences may be left at www.myersfuneralhome.biz.
Some of Dean’s final words to his family was “No crying, be happy and always be kind!”
