DEAN A. BLACKERT, 66, of Tampico, IL, died Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at Rock River Hospice and Home in Sterling, IL.

The funeral service will be 10:00 AM Saturday, December 22, 2018, at Zion United Methodist Church in Hooppole, IL with Rev. Dan Wright officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Friday, December 21, 2018, at Bosma-Gibson Funeral Home in Prophetstown, IL. Interment will be at Hooppole Cemetery in Hooppole, IL. A memorial to Zion United Methodist Church has been established.

Dean was born November 6, 1952, in Mesa, AZ, to Dale F. and Betty Jane (Vetter) Blackert. He was a 1971 graduate of Manlius High School and graduated from Sauk Valley Community College in 1973 with a degree in Automotive Technology. Dean married Debra K. Raabe on September 16, 1972, in Manlius, IL. Dean was a lifelong farmer and also worked at Vande Voorde Sales, Inc. in Annawan, IL, for many years. Dean served on the Bureau County Farm Bureau board and was a member of the Zion United Methodist Church in Hooppole, IL. Dean loved spending time with family and giving rides on his golf cart with his grandkids.

Survivors include his wife, Debra of Tampico, IL; one daughter, Andrea (Scott) Etheridge of Princeton, IL; two sons, Aaron (Nikki) Blackert of Harmon, IL and Andrew (Olivia) Blackert of Walnut, IL; six grandchildren, Carson, Casey, and Collyns Etheridge; Matthew, Jonathan, and Samantha Blackert; two sisters, Bonnie (Tom) Peaton of Gilbert, AZ and Darla (Sean) Helton of Anchorage, AK; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Barry Blackert.