SGM Dean L. Batchelder, U.S. Army (Ret.), age 85, went to be with his Heavenly Father, July 19, 2015, at home. He was born June 24, 1930, in Menominie, Wisconsin, to the late Lee and Vivian Butler Batchelder.
Dean joined the U.S. Army, where he served 22 years, culminating his service as a Sergeant Major. He served in Korea and made two combat jumps behind enemy lines. In addition, he was part of an atomic bomb test in Nevada. Upon retiring from the Army in 1970, Dean took a position at TPI and worked there for over 20 years. He attended ETSU and graduated from Steed College, Magna Cum Laude. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend to all that knew him. Dean was married 60 years to Shirley Phillips Batchelder, from Elizabethton, Tenn.
Those left to celebrate his life include his loving wife, Shirley; three daughters, Deanna Felosak (Frankie), Susan Mock (Jerry), and Sheree Hopson (Randy); and three sons, Dean Jr. (Lynn), David (Irene), and James (Sonya); his beloved grandchildren include Loy Mock, Matthew (Michelle) Batchelder, Megan (Rob) Anderson, Troy Hopson, Nathan and Caleb Batchelder; great-grandchildren include Hannah Mock, Evan and Braden Felosak, Luke and Jake Batchelder; a sister, Dora Hanson; and brothers, Lioness and Larry Batchelder and the late Kenneth Batchelder; extended family includes Keely (Nathan) Goodwin and their daughter, Jovie; and Cory Richardson.
Dean was a member of Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the Emmaus Bible Class. He belonged to the Kiwanis, American Legion, the VFW, the Senior Citizens Center, and served on the Board of Directors for many years at the Elizabethton Golf Course. He enjoyed playing golf and volunteering in the community. He cherished his family and enjoyed numerous activities and vacations with them.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 22, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, from 6 until 8 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, at Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church, Elizabethton, with Father Dennis Kress officiating. His wishes were that his body be donated to the Quillen College of Medicine. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the East Tennessee Children’s Group Home, P.O. Box 1147, Elizabethton, TN 37644. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Batchelder family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.