Dean W. Bledsoe

Dean W. Bledsoe, age 74, of West Chester, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at his residence. He was born Thursday, July 23, 1942 in Hannibal, Missouri to Charley and Oneta (nee Ford) Bledsoe.

Dean graduated from Parkview High School. His college experience includes Southwest Missouri State University (Missouri State University), and Drury College, in Springfield, Missouri from which he received a Bachelors Degree.

Dean was a "foodie" before foodie was a common term.   Professionally he was employed for over 40 years in the food service industry. He began his career as a cost accountant for Ocoma Foods (Iowa and South Carolina) and Morton Frozen Foods (NY and VA), where he helped design and implement a frozen school lunch program. Dean continued his work in school lunch feeding as Vice-President of Operations for Great American Basic Commodities in Plover Wisconsin. He served as President of the Plover Area Business Association. He moved to West Chester, OH in 1983 where he began his career in senior and elderly feeding.

Dean retired from G.A. Food Services (FL) in 2008 as National Sales Director for Senior and Elderly Feeding building a frozen and shelf-stable program that was sold in 48 states. He was awarded the NANASP Lifetime Achievement Star for his work and contributions to the field.

Personally, he often said he'd rather cook than eat. Family and friends appreciated and enjoyed his culinary skills and love of entertaining. His garden was a source of joy and inspiration for the next best thing to can or freeze. Dean was a Certified Kansas City Barbeque Judge traveling to many states to use his discriminating palate. When not in the kitchen, he enjoyed travel and sampling every kind of food imaginable. He also enjoyed golf with his buddies and family.

An entrepreneur in spirit and practice, he created and was partner/President of BackCountry Hiking Sticks beginning in 2014.

Dean was a member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Fairfield, OH where he served as Finance Chair for many years and participated in the Wednesday morning prayer group.

Dean's care of and for his family could not be matched. His story-telling is legendary and will be sorely missed.

Dean was preceded in death by: his parents, Charley and Oneta Bledsoe; and former wife, N. Joan (nee Bumgarner) Goslee.

Dean is survived by: his wife of 44 years, Jane (nee Snell) Bledsoe; children, Chris (Leela) Bledsoe of Napa, CA, Douglas (Linda) Bledsoe of Kings Mills, OH, and Dina (Ryan) Rife of Geismar, LA; siblings, Michael (Marlene Kallal) Bledsoe of Medora, IL, Robert (Carol) Bledsoe of Strafford, MO, James (Teresa) Bledsoe of Cabot, AR and Jane Bledsoe Maher of Stratford, MO; grandchildren, Krysta (Matt) Delony, Elizabeth (Daniel) Myers, Lucas (Brittany) Bledsoe, Adam Bledsoe, Amanda Bledsoe, Halle Bledsoe, Aria Rife and Zaden Rife; great-granddaughter, Oona Bledsoe; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 10, 2017 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at Mueller Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road, Mason, OH 45040. The Funeral Service will take place at 12:00 noon officiated by Rev. Tammy Jo Reiser at the Funeral Home. The family will continue to celebrate Dean's life with a small luncheon immediately following the funeral at the Funeral Home. Interment will be at West Chester Cemetery.

The family requests memorials be sent to: St. Joseph's Indian School, 1301 N. Main Street, Chamberlain, SD 57325 or to Hospice of Cincinnati, Inc., P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263-3597.

Please visit MuellerfuneralS.com to sign online guestbook. 513-398-9100