Dean Allen Betts

Dean Allen Betts, has sadly passed away at the age of 63 on August 13, 2023. He was born on October 19, 1959, in Toledo, Ohio.

Dean’s career took him many places, making friends and admiring colleagues everywhere he went.  He was born and raised in Bowling Green Ohio and then spent much of his adult life in North East Indiana where he started in restaurant management & ownership before following in his father’s footsteps learning the machine tool & die trade, eventually following those passions to Fredonia Kansas and finally Grove Oklahoma.  Dean did-it-all over the years, from tool design to shop operations, from NC Programing to Engineering Manager, from machine operator to business owner, from plastic injection molding to precision metal machining, he made car parts, aerospace components and so many more.  While Dean was generally a quiet man, his passion was clear and you would find out if you asked him “what’s going on in the shop this week?”  While his experiences were varied, one thing that was true in all of his efforts was his dedication not just to the work but to the people he worked with, he touched and was cared for by so many.

Outside of his professional life, Dean had a warm and gentle personality that endeared him to everyone he met. He was passionate about everything firearms and enjoyed both hunting and target shooting and supported related organizations, such as Duck Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the NRA.  He shot competition in his younger years including National Rifle Club and various hobby leagues but his favorite times were teaching the passion to others, his most fond memories on the range included a son or any of the many others that now appreciate gun safety and a love for the sport thanks to his patient teaching.

He also loved be out on the lake, whether that was cruising around Story Lake in Indiana in a row boat, as captain of his pontoon boat on Grand Lake, or fishing with his father and family on Lake Erie where the passion started.  He was at home and at peace on the water.

Dean's passing leaves behind a profound void in the lives of his loved ones. He is survived by his beloved wife Joanne (Cole) Betts and their sons Adam Betts (Abigail), Daniel Steinman (Chevas), and Doug Steinman (Kara).  His brothers Dennis Betts, David Betts (Sharon), along with sister Cynthia Betts (Allan Franklin), shared countless special memories together.

Dean was an adoring grandfather to Dylan Steinman, Katelyn Steinman, and cherished his role in their lives. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Karl Matthew Snyder, Ryan Betts (Robyn), Micah Betts (Amanda), Alex Betts, and Kevin Betts.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Dorothy (Hutton) Betts, and his brother Douglas Betts.

A visitation event to honor Dean's life will be held on August 16, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home located at 711 S Main St in Grove, Oklahoma. We invite all those whose lives he touched to join us in celebrating his legacy.

A celebration of life will also be held in Indiana on August 26, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at McIntyre Place 116 S Jackson Street Auburn, IN.  All are welcome to bring their memories of Dean and their good times together.

In remembrance of Dean’s life, the family asks that, in lieu of other gifts, charitable donations be made to either Ducks Unlimited (www.ducks.org) or Pheasants Forever (www.pheasantsforever.org).